Washington Sundar received an opportunity to play under Jasprit Bumrah‘s captaincy in the Perth Test, while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were not selected.
Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to the birth of his child, has now returned to Australia. Prepared to captain the team in the second Test, a day-night pink-ball match in Adelaide, he reaffirmed the importance of Ashwin and Jadeja to the five-Test series.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to break the news to them that they wouldn’t be playing that first game,” he said.
Rohit acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out experienced players like Ashwin and Jadeja but emphasised that the decision was made in the team’s best interests.
“It’s always hard to leave experienced players like them out.”
He explained that similar decisions would likely continue throughout the series, underscoring the significant contributions of Ashwin and Jadeja.
“But I think the decision was made for what was best for the team at that particular time … and that is, I think, what we will look to do throughout the series.”
Rohit highlighted the immense value both players bring to the team, praising their quality and experience.
“But I certainly see them playing a huge role in the rest of the series because what they bring to the table can never be written off. They are quality players.”
R. Ashwin has taken 39 wickets in 18 innings in Australia and has scored 384 runs with two half-centuries on Australian soil. Jadeja, on the other hand, has taken 14 wickets in six innings in Australia and has scored 175 runs in five innings, including two crucial half-centuries.
Overall, Jadeja has taken 319 wickets in Test cricket, while Ashwin has claimed 536 wickets.
Rohit Sharma announced another significant change, revealing that he will bat in the middle order during the second Test against Australia, while confirming KL Rahul‘s position as an opener.
“KL will open. The way he batted and his partnership with Jaiswal were instrumental in that first Test win,” said Rohit ahead of the game starting on Friday.
However, Rohit declined to disclose India’s playing XI for the second Test or his exact batting position.
The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is set to begin on 6 December at the Adelaide Oval, with India taking on Australia. India currently lead the five-match series 1-0, following their impressive 295-run victory in Perth.