Amid the reports of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s likely absence from the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to personal reasons, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that India should name a new skipper for the entire series.
India are already reeling from the series loss against New Zealand in the recently concluded three-match Test series and Rohit Sharma’s absence against Australia would further complicate the problems. If Rohit Sharma registers his absence then Jasprit Bumrah is expected to step up to lead the side.
“Look, it is necessary for the captain to play the first Test. If he is injured, that is a different thing. When your leader is not available for the first match, then the pressure will be too much on the deputy. The responsibility of captaincy is not easy. We have read that Rohit will not play the first test and perhaps he will not play the second test as well,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“If this is the case, then I say that, right now, the Indian selection committee should say that 'if you have to rest, rest, if there are personal reasons then look at them. But if you are missing two-thirds of the matches then you should go for this tour only as a player. We will make the vice-captain the captain of this tour'," said Gavaskar speaking to Sports Tak.
The first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played from November 22 in Perth. India are hoping to win the BGT for the third consecutive time.