"I am not going to judge" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma reportedly missing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 1st Test
Aakash Chopra has said that he won't judge Rohit Sharma's reported decision of missing the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He noted that fans have divided opinions on the Indian captain's potential absence.
The first Test of the five-match series between India and Australia is scheduled to start in Perth on Friday, November 22. Rohit and his wife were blessed with a baby boy recently, with reports suggesting that the opener will miss the series opener as he wants to spend time with his family.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener stated that he won't pass any judgment on Rohit's decision and urged the fans to do the same.
"Some reports have come and the biggest among them is that Rohit Sharma is not going now. He will be missing the first Test and be available for the second match. There is polarized opinion on this, whether he is doing right or wrong. I am not going to judge. You also please don't judge," he said (1:30).
Chopra noted that the original question was about Rohit missing one of the first two Tests due to the coinciding birth of his second child.
"The question earlier was about the first or second Test coinciding with the delivery of the baby and you want to be there because, in all fairness, you play 50 to 100 Tests in your life but have only one or two kids, and you want to be there," he observed.
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that questions are now being asked because there is still time to go for the start of the first Test. He added that Team India need Rohit Sharma even more now because of Shubman Gill's potential unavailability due to a reported fractured thumb.
"However, when the baby has been delivered, the question arises whether he should go because there is a week's gap in between. So why not go and play for Team India because the team needs you a lot there? That question is being asked," Chopra noted.
Aakash Chopra recalled a few similar past instances, with Sunil Gavaskar being in New Zealand when Rohan Gavaskar was born, and Virat Kohli returning after the first Test of the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the birth of his first child. Chopra noted that times have changed, with paternity leave now being provided.
"Everyone has their own priority in life and we must respect that" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma's reported decision
![Rohit Sharma hasn't been in great form in Tests lately. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/faf60-17319014918195-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Rohit Sharma shouldn't be compared with soldiers on the border.
"Don't say that the soldiers are standing on the border even when they are having kids or problems at home. No two individuals are same. Everyone has their own priority in life and we must respect that," he said (3:30).
The reputed commentator concluded by reiterating that it's a personal decision and shouldn't be delved too much into.
"So if Rohit has decided that he doesn't want to go, whether it's his family's or his own decision, he wants to spend a little more time with the family, wife, and baby, it's okay. It's a personal call. I will leave it at that. I expect that you also don't dig too much into it," Chopra observed.
Rohit has amassed 4,270 runs at a decent average of 42.27 in 64 Tests. However, his record in Australia is not that impressive, with his 408 runs in seven Tests coming at an average of 31.38.