Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in first Test against Australia in Rohit Sharma's absence
Indian cricket vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in the inaugural Test match against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy in absence of skipper Rohit Sharma, said head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Addressing a presser, Gambhir said, "Bumrah is the vice-captain, so obviously he is going to be the captain in Rohit Sharma's absence."
Rohit is set to miss the first Test due to his paternity leave. He is likely to play the rest of the Test matches.
The skipper's absence leaves a void in the opening slot, where Rohit partners with young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Among the players who are likely to replace Rohit in the opening slot are KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran.
"Obviously there is [Abhimanyu] Easwaran and there is [KL [Rahul] there. So we will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available," Gambhir said.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed Bumrah, the premier pace bowler of the team, as the leader of the team.
Ponting is hopeful that Bumrah will be able to handle dual responsibilities- captaincy and bowling.
"Yeah, that (captaincy) is probably the hardest thing for him," Ponting said in the ICC Review. "I think that was always the question on Pat Cummins when he became the Australian Test captain as well. How much is he going to bowl himself? Is he going to bowl himself too much? Is he not going to bowl himself enough?
"But someone as experienced as Jasprit will understand the times when he needs to be bowling, when he needs to have a spell."
India's assignment in Australia is set to be a massive challenge as Gambhir's side need to win the five-match series either 4-0 or 4-1 to qualify for the World Test Championship final, which will be held in London next year.
India slumped into this crisis after they were whitewashed at home by New Zealand 0-3 in the recently concluded Test series.
However, Gambhir is only focussing on the Border Gavaskar Trophy. "Honestly, we are not even looking at what is going to happen in the World Test Championship or whether we are going to qualify. Every series is important irrespective of what has happened in the past."
The first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which was won by India last time, will begin on November 22 in Perth.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
IOA to host India’s first National Athletes’ Forum in Ahmedabad on Jan 10
In a significant move towards athlete-led governance in Indian sport, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will host the country’s first-ever National Athletes’ Forum on January 10 in Ahmedabad.
Unsatisfactory: MCG under fire as ICC issues demerit point after Ashes thriller
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday rated the pitch used for the recently concluded Ashes Test between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as “unsatisfactory.”
Pakistani cricketer Imad Wasim’s marriage collapses amid ‘third party’ claim
Pakistani cricketer Imad Wasim announces separation from wife, Sania claims 'third party's involvement'
Tragedy before toss in Bangladesh: Dhaka Capitals Assistant Coach Zaki collapses and dies on field in Sylhet
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died after collapsing on the field moments before the start of a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, media reports said.
Latest News
No more Assad: Syria introduces currency with stunning new designs
Historic moment! India’s first bullet train mountain tunnel breakthrough reached in Palghar
President Murmu unveils ‘Skill the Nation Challenge’ to make India AI-savvy
Baloch leader flags China troop deployment risk, warns India of growing strategic threat
