Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most pivotal players, will be staying back in India for the birth of his second child, expected in the third week of November.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dropped a major hint on Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening test of the Border Gavaskar series in Perth. Reports have been doing rounds that Rohit will miss the opening test to welcome his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is no guarantee to play in the first Test against Australia in Perth, with coach Gautam Gambhir unable to confirm the skipper would be ready as his team departed for the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar series.

India must win a series against Australia 4-0 or 5-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on other results

Gautam Gambhir also confirmed that if Rohit Sharma is not available for the match "Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in Perth Test."

India skipper Rohit Sharma is unsure of playing the first Test against Australia in Perth starting November 22 due to personal reasons. He is unlikely even to travel with the team but nothing is sure at the moment with developments likely closer to the first Test.

Gambhir said one of KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Easwaran or even Shubman Gill are available to open if Rohit doesn't make it

India coach Gautam Gambhir provided an update on Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test against Australia in Perth. Gautam kept the journalist guessing with a cryptic response and said a clear picture would be out before the series.

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Jasprit Bumrah as stand-in captain for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia if Rohit Sharma misses the opener. While Rohit's participation is uncertain,