IND vs AUS: When Will Rohit Sharma be Available For Team India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

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Team India skipper Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to miss the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to begin on Friday (November 22) at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Rohit remained at home for the birth of his second child and will join the India squad Down Under only after the Perth Test, according to several reports, which also revealed when the skipper will link up with the rest of the playing group.

The 37-year-old had already communicated to the BCCI and national selectors that he could miss the Perth Test, but the skipper had kept the option of a last-minute travel open based on when the child was born.

Rohit and his wife Ritika were blessed with a baby boy on Friday (November 15), a week ahead of the first Test, prompting the possibility of his travelling to Perth. But, the skipper is unlikely to travel Down Under in time for the Perth Test.

When will Rohit Sharma be available for Team India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The senior Indian batter is now expected to be available only ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, which will be kicking off from December 4. Rohit is also expected to be available for the two-day pink-ball warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister's XI before the second Test of the prestigious BGT series.

With Rohit expected to miss the series opener, KL Rahul, who has been declared fit to play the Test, is likely to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal until the skipper joins the squad for the second Test. In Rohit's absence, Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the side.

While he is expected to be available from the Adelaide Test, Rohit's recent numbers are underwhelming. Across five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, he scored 133 runs in 10 innings, averaging only 13.30, with a best score of 52.

His scores in the home season were: 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, and 11. Getting the right amount of game time would be challenge for Hitman as he balances sport and personal life. Rohit would hope to get enough match practice before he takes the field in Adelaide.