Gautam Gambhir to Miss India’s Tour Game in Canberra; Rohit Sharma Returns to Squad

India will be without head coach Gautam Gambhir for their two-day tour game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, starting November 30. Gambhir has returned to India for personal reasons but is expected to rejoin the team ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 6.

Assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel will jointly oversee the team’s preparations during Gambhir’s absence. The tour game, a day match, will feature the pink Kookaburra ball as part of India’s preparation for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.

Rohit Sharma’s Return Boosts India

India’s preparations were bolstered by the return of captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to paternity leave. Rohit’s inclusion raises questions about the batting combination, as KL Rahul impressed at the top of the order during India’s commanding 295-run victory in the first Test.

If Shubman Gill, recovering from a fractured thumb, regains full fitness before the second Test, India could face a selection dilemma to accommodate both Rohit and Rahul alongside the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gill is unlikely to feature in the tour game, with his recovery being monitored in the lead-up to the Adelaide Test.

Momentum in India’s Favour

India’s stunning win in Perth, after a 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand, has given them a 1-0 lead in the series against Australia. With the return of their regular captain and a confident squad, India will look to fine-tune their preparations in Canberra before taking on Australia in the high-stakes day-night Test in Adelaide.

This series has already showcased India’s resilience, and the upcoming matches promise more challenges and potential heroics from the team as they aim to consolidate their lead Down Under.