NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the first Test of the forthcoming

Border Gavaskar Trophy

against Australia that is scheduled to be played at Perth from November 22.
Though the cause of Rohit Sharma’s unavailability has been given as ‘personal reasons’, it is widely speculated that the Indian captain is set to become a father for the second time.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar had recently said that if Rohit is set to miss the first Test and comes back for the rest of the series, then he should be back only as player.
Gavaskar has backed vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah to be named the captain for the whole series.

But former Australian captain Aaron Finch made his disagreement with

Gavaskar

quite clear while talking on a podcast.
When asked by the host if Rohit coming back to the squad after missing the first, or even the second Test, as a player as suggested by Gavaskar, is fair or not, Finch vehemently said “No”.
Finch added, “I disagree with Sunny on that totally. Rohit Sharma is the captain of the Indian cricket team. If you need to stay home because your wife’s having a baby, it’s such a beautiful moment. You take all the time you need in that regard.”

It may be noted that on the last tour Down Under, then captain Virat Kohli had taken a paternity leave and left Australia after the first Test in Adelaide when India were bundled out for 36 in the second innings.
The team was then led by Ajinkya Rahane and scripted a remarkable and historic turnaround to win their second successive Test series Down Under.
India need to win 4 Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the

World Test Championships

final that is scheduled to be held at Lord’s in June 2025.