Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir remained unsure over the skipper Rohit Sharma’s availability for the 1st Test vs Australia. Gambhir addressed the press conference in Mumbai before Team India departed for Australia as well. Uncertainty remained over Rohit’s participation in the Perth Test match and he also confirmed that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah might lead the team as well. Gambhir also backed KL Rahul to open in Rohit’s absence, with Abhimanyu Easwaran being the other choice as well.

“Look, at the moment, there is no confirmation. We’ll let you guys know what the situation is. Hopefully, he is going to be available. But everything you will get to know at the start of the series,” Gautam Gambhir said in the press conference.

However, Gambhir highlighted the backup options India have in case Rohit Sharma misses out on the Perth Test.

“Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL Rahul. We will take a call ahead of the 1st Test if Rohit is unavailable. There are options there. It’s not like there are no options. Once we get closer to the 1st Test, we will try and put in the best playing XI,” Gautam Gambhir added. “You go with experienced players as well. I think that is the quality of a man that he can actually bat at the top of the order. You can batter at number three, and he can actually bat in sixth position as well. So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well, and he kept pickets in a one-day format as well. So imagine how many countries have players like KL Rahul who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel that if needed to be, I think he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match.”