Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has confirmed that reports of Rohit Sharma’s probable unavailability for either of the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy are true. He also added that it would be a big loss for India if he isn’t available as well. However, India will take on Australia in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “This will sway our emotions a little. There is news about Rohit Sharma. It has not come from official sources but I can confirm that the news is there. The news is that he might miss one game. It could be the first Test or the second Test. Since it’s because of personal reasons, it’s also being said that he might be available for the entire series.”
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“He was injured last time and straightaway came to play the Sydney Test. He wasn’t available in Adelaide and didn’t play the Melbourne Test. Virat Kohli played the pink-ball Test and then wasn’t available for the three Tests after that. Here also, Rohit Sharma might not be available for one of the first two Tests. It will be a big loss,” he again added.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra also stated that Abhimanyu Easwaran might replace Rohit Sharma as an opener if the skipper misses either of the first two Tests.
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“Abhimanyu Easwaran might be in line that he might get an opportunity to play that Test because there is a possibility. However, it will be a miss if the captain and an opener like him isn’t there. It used to be a four-match series and now it has become five. So you really need to win every single game or give yourself best chances. The first two matches are difficult too. The first is in Perth and the second is pink ball. Australia are starting like that to put India on the back foot straightaway. Rohit Sharma’s absence, I think it will be an issue. Let’s hope that his personal issue gets sorted out before that,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
