Following the dreadful loss against New Zealand in the home Test series, the next looming assignment for Team India in the longest format of the game is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Team India has had an upper hand over Australia since 2014, moreover, they rattled the Aussies in their backyard in the last two series down under. The objective would be to complete the hat-trick of series wins in Australia but some daunting challenges have come in the form of roadblocks.

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KL Rahul Could Replace Rohit Sharma In The 1st Test

Among the hurdles, one that could have a huge impact would be the potential unavailability of captain Rohit Sharma in the 1st Test of the five-match series. Not having a premier batsman in the series opener could cost India dearly, regardless of him not being in a good form lately. Aware of the situation, the team management is seeking a replacement for Rohit Sharma and as per a reports they have found the one in the form of KL Rahul.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel in the India A squad for the second first-class game against Australia A. The match is scheduled to start on November 7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

“The Men’s Selection Committee have added Mr KL Rahul and Mr Dhruv Jurel to the India A squad for the second first-class game against Australia A starting on Thursday at the MCG, Melbourne. Earlier, Mr Prasidh Krishna was added to the squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal, who was named in India’s T20I squad for the tour of South Africa,” the BCCI statement read. 

Thus, KL Rahul could open for India A for the second first-class game against Australia A. It could be an audition of KL Rahul for the ultimate Test, i.e., 1st Test against Australia.

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Why Rohit Sharma Will Potentially Be Unavailable For 1st Test?

Team India may play the 1st Test against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy without its first-choice captain Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper could stay back in India as his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, is pregnant and the due date clashes with the 1st Test, which is scheduled to begin on November 22, 2024. 

(With inputs from PTI)