How critics have reacted to Rohit Sharma's decision to skip 1st BGT 2024-25 Test in Perth
Team India will be without the services of skipper Rohit Sharma for the opening Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, which begins in Perth on Friday, November 22. He did not travel to Australia with the rest of the team and decided to stay back at home for the delivery of his second child, who was born on November 15.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, the 37-year-old to all set to join the Indian team in Perth on November 24. The report added that he will be part of the second BGT 2024-25 Test, which begins in Adelaide from December 6. The Indian captain is also likely to be part of the two-practice game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, which will be played from November 30 to December 1.
Meanwhile, lead pacer and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is all set to lead India in the first Test against Australia in Perth in the regular skipper's absence. There have been mixed reactions to Rohit's decision to skip the Perth Test. Here's a compilation of some views from cricket experts.
"There's potential for more disruption" - Ricky Ponting on the impact of Rohit's return
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting made a bold claim and opined that Rohit's return to the Indian team after missing the Perth Test has the potential to cause disruption in the visitors' camp. Speaking on The ICC Review, he commented:
“India will be pretty certain of what team they're going to play (in Perth). They've known for a while that Rohit probably wasn't going to be here. They've probably known for a while that Bumrah was going to be captain. So they've probably known what holes they've needed to fill. So they'll be reasonably settled.
“But I just think there's potential for more disruption through their campaign with Sharma coming back and whatever else," the Aussie legend went on to add.
Ponting also stuck to his previous prediction of a 3-1 win for Australia in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"You've got the ammunition" - Ravi Shastri
Former India coach Ravi Shastri reckons that the visitors must not be thinking about what they are going to miss in Perth, but about what they have got in hand. Sharing his views on the Rohit situation, he stated that there are some things that are beyond anyone's control. He said on Star Sports Press Room:
“I mean you cannot... These are some things that happen naturally. It's beyond your (control). Nothing you can do with it. You have to think forward. Think what you have the best in hand and adapt accordingly. That's something that is not in your hand, you've got the ammunition, you've got the players and you've got the guys with experience."
Shastri was the coach when the Virat Kohli-led Indian team created history by winning a Test series in Australia for the first Test in 2018-19.
"It is important for the captain to play the first Test" - Sunil Gavaskar
At a time when Rohit's absence from the Perth Test was still a speculation, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar had opined that India should have another leader for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if the regular captain is not available for all the matches. Speaking to Sports Tak, he shared rather strong views and said:
"It is important for the captain to play the first Test. If he gets injured then it is a different matter. In such a situation, if your leader is not available in the first match, then appointing a deputy leader, the pressure that builds on him is a different kind of pressure. It will not be easy for him to take the responsibility of captaincy again."
Speaking to Revsportz, another former captain Sourav Ganguly too had hoped that Rohit would be available for the first Test against Australia in Perth since the team needed his leadership to start with.
Aussie duo backs Rohit Sharma, say they would have done the same thing
Star batter Travis Head and former Australia captain Michael Clarke have both backed Rohit's decision to opt out of the first Test, admitting they would have done the same thing if they were in his place. At a press conference ahead of the opening Test in Perth, Head commented:
“Hundred per cent, I support Rohit’s decision. I would have done the same in the same situation. We sacrifice a lot of things as a cricketer. We do live a very privileged life and we do also get looked after. But also, on the flip side, we keep missing important milestones. So, yeah, I would do the same thing if I were in his position. You do not get that time back."
On the other hand, Clarke told Revsportz in an interview that family comes first and that the happiest day of his life was when his daughter was born. The former Aussie skipper commented:
“Let me tell you something, mate. I loved playing for Australia and I loved captaining Australia. I loved the baggy green. Having said that, the happiest day of my life was when my daughter was born. Much more than a Test match or a win or even a World Cup. It is very different, and you can’t equate it to anything. Family comes first, mate. A Test match will come again, but this is a very very different moment."
Former India batter Suresh Raina also defended Rohit's decision to give the Perth Test a miss. "That's the most important thing in his life (currently)," he told TOI in an interview.