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Sunil Gavaskar feels if the captain is not there right from the beginning, especially when the team is coming from a humiliating whitewash, he should play the rest of the series as a mere player.
Sunil Gavaskar Reacts to Rohit Sharma Missing Perth Test
The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on 22 November in Perth, while questions loom over the participation of Rohit Sharma. According to media reports, the Indian skipper might miss out on the series opener due to personal reasons. Moreover, it’s still uncertain if he joins the camp for the second Test in Adelaide, which will be a day-night affair.
The team management will likely hand the responsibility to Jasprit Bumrah, with Rohit resuming responsibility for leading the side on his return. However, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels if the captain is not there right from the beginning, especially when the team is coming from a humiliating whitewash, he should play the rest of the series as a mere player while his deputy should lead the team for the entire series.
“It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. It’s different if he is injured, but if he is not available, then the deputy leader will be under a lot of pressure,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“I have been reading that Rohit Sharma might not play the first two Tests of the Australia series. I feel that, in that case, the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah the captain of the side for the entire Australia tour, and tell Rohit Sharma that you will participate as a player in this series. For the first Test match, Rohit Sharma has to be there,” he added.
Sunil Gavaskar (on sports tak) – “If Rohit sharma taking leave from 1st test in BGT, then BCCI should announce a captain for the whole series. Rohit can join whenever he wants but as a player” pic.twitter.com/1vu1SlH44z— Fearless🦁 (@ViratTheLegend) November 4, 2024
Earlier, while addressing the press following the 25-run loss in Mumbai, Rohit said that he is not sure whether he will travel to Australia for the series opener, which is scheduled to take place in Perth from 22 November.
“Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed,” Rohit said when asked about his availability for the Test series opener in Australia.
In his absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side, and Abhimanyu Easwaran will partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.
Bumrah has served as India’s Test captain in the past as well. He led India in the rescheduled Test against England, which was played in Birmingham from 1 to 5 July in 2022.
(With Agency Inputs)
