Rohit Sharma Set to Join India Squad in Australia, to Play Pink-Ball Warm-Up Game
India’s Test captain, Rohit Sharma, will rejoin the team in Australia on November 24, following his absence for the birth of his second child. Rohit is expected to feature in a two-day pink-ball tour game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra starting November 30, ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide.
Leadership Changes
With Rohit unavailable for the first Test in Perth, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side. Speaking ahead of the series opener, Bumrah said:
- “I spoke with Rohit earlier, but I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here.”
Key Warm-Up for Rohit and India
The two-day pink-ball fixture at the Manuka Oval, trimmed from its traditional four-day format, will serve as a crucial preparation match for Rohit and the Indian squad. The game is expected to feature a mix of international players and Test hopefuls from Australia, providing competitive practice ahead of the Adelaide day-night Test.
India’s last day-night Test was against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in March 2022, where they secured a comprehensive 238-run victory. However, the team will also be mindful of their previous pink-ball Test at Adelaide in 2020, where they were bowled out for 36 before staging a historic comeback to win the series 2-1.
Rohit’s Recent Form
Rohit will aim to rediscover his batting touch during the warm-up, having endured a lean patch against New Zealand recently, scoring only 91 runs in six innings at an average of 15.16.
Fringe Players Step In for Perth Test
In Rohit’s absence, India will rely on fringe players for the series opener at Perth’s Optus Stadium, a challenging venue known for pace and bounce. The team will look to overcome the loss of their captain and start the series on a strong note under Bumrah’s leadership.
Rohit’s return brings not just leadership stability but also invaluable experience, as India gears up for a high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash in Australia.
