“There is a strong possibility Rohit Sharma might be seen playing in the first Test match” – Aakash Chopra on Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 1st Test

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra is hopeful of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma playing in the opening Test match against Australia at Perth. Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh were blessed with a baby boy on Saturday and it will be interesting to note his availability for the opening Test.

If Rohit Sharma misses the opening Test, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead in his place. Meanwhile, Rohit is also under the pump after India suffered a 0-3 clean sweep against New Zealand despite playing at home.

Rohit isn’t in the best of forms as he could not deliver against the Kiwis, as he managed only 91 runs in three Test matches, with an average of 15.17. The Indian opener could only score 42 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh at an average of 10.50.

However, Rohit will be determined to turn a corner, both as a leader as well as a captain on the Australia tour. 

“Rohit and Ritika are blessed with a baby boy. Congratulations to Rohit and Ritika. Since the baby is born and there is a week’s gap in between, the Test match will start on the 22nd, there is a strong possibility Rohit Sharma might be seen playing in the first Test match, and I will say thumbs up,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Meanwhile, in Rohit’s absence, Abhimanyu Easwaran was expected to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal but the former wasn’t amongst the runs against Australia A.

“Abhimanyu Easwaran was among the options kept for him thus far. It seems like he is not even an option right now based on the reports from Australia. They were practicing in Perth and they played a few games, and he has not scored the runs,” he observed.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has suffered an injury scare as he was hit on the elbow by Prasidh Krishna in the training session whereas Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the opening Test after injuring his thumb while taking a catch.

“KL Rahul also got injured. Prasidh Krishna’s ball hit him on his elbow and he didn’t take part in that session again. Shubman Gill has also now gotten injured. He was doing catch practice and got hurt on his finger and they are saying that it is apparently fractured,” Chopra noted.

“If he has a fractured finger, it takes at least two weeks, and at times it takes three as well. If it takes three weeks, there will be a doubt about the second Test match as well. It means he is also out of the first Test match. In such a scenario, if Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul aren’t there, why are we playing at all? (Mohammed) Shami is also not there. This is not right,” he added.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.