Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most pivotal players, will be staying back in India for the birth of his second child, expected in the third week of November.

India skipper Rohit Sharma is unsure of playing the first Test against Australia in Perth starting November 22 due to personal reasons. He is unlikely even to travel with the team but nothing is sure at the moment with developments likely closer to the first Test.

Addressing the media before flying out from India, Gambhir also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would lead Team India if captain Rohit Sharma failed to turn up for the five-match series opener.

India must win a series against Australia 4-0 or 5-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on other results

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dropped a major hint on Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening test of the Border Gavaskar series in Perth. Reports have been doing rounds that Rohit will miss the opening test to welcome his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was hopeful about captain Rohit Sharma's availability for the 1st Test vs Australia

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma might miss the first Test against Australia in Perth due to personal reasons. Expecting his second child soon, Sharma will not travel with the team initially but could join later.

Australian great Ricky Ponting has backed pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to step up as India captain in Rohit Sharma's absence against Australia.