Rohit Sharma Could Miss 1st Test vs Australia In Perth, Claims Report; 2 Contenders Emerge As Stand-In Captain

Team India captain Rohit Sharma remains in limbo for the first Test of the marquee five-game series in Australia later this year, owing to personal reasons. According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah or Shubman Gill are the contenders to captain the tourists should the opening batter miss the Perth Test.

Having not had a designated vice-captain in the previous series, the significance of having one ahead of the tour Down Under has gathered some traction now. Hence, one could be appointed when India announces the squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand set to get underway on October 16 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Bumrah, who will turn 31 in December, has led India once in Test cricket, doing so at Edgbaston against India in 2022 as Rohit had tested positive for COVID-19. However, with the star paceman being injury-prone, he is unlikely to play all the Tests. The Ahmedabad-born cricketer has also captained the national team in the three-game T20I series between India and Ireland in August 2023.

Shubman Gill has had considerable captaincy experience of late:

Gill, one of the few all-format players, has reportedly impressed with his leadership qualities during the home series against England. The right-handed batter has also played some responsible innings during the series against England and Bangladesh.

Having ushered India to a 4-1 T20I series win over Zimbabwe this year, Gill became the vice-captain in the following 50-overs rubber against Sri Lanka. The Punjab-born cricketer had captained India A in the Duleep Trophy and also marshalled the Gujarat Titans' troops in IPL 2024.