Rohit Sharma welcomed his second, a baby boy, with his wife Ritika Sajdeh on Friday, November 15, bringing joy to his family and fans.
While Rohit’s focus has been on his family during these heartwarming times, speculation is rife about whether he could still make it to Perth for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, scheduled to begin on November 22.
The Indian cricket captain had left for his home country to be with his wife throughout the childbirth, skipping the team’s preparatory training sessions in Australia. The birth of Rohit’s second child earlier than expected has opened the door for a potential return.
Media reports suggest the BCCI has kept all logistical arrangements ready should Rohit decide to join the squad in the Down Under. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, clarified earlier that no confirmation has been received yet about Rohit’s availability.
Can Rohit Sharma Return in Time for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Opening Match?
If Rohit Sharma intends to play the first Test, he would need to depart for Perth by November 18. The journey from Mumbai to Perth is a long-haul flight of approximately 11-13 hours.
Factoring in time for rest, acclimatisation, and potential jet lag, his window to prepare for the match would be tight, with only a couple of days at best for practice sessions with the team.
Despite his absence from team training sessions in Australia, Rohit has been keeping himself sharp by practising in Mumbai. Videos from his net sessions have surfaced, showcasing his focus on maintaining match readiness.
Despite his recent poor form in Test matches, his experience and leadership would be invaluable for India in this high-stakes series, and his presence at the top of the order could set the tone for the tour.
Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggest that Rohit Sharma is scheduled to return to Australia on November 18, potentially making himself available for the first Test in Perth.
As of now, whether Rohit will board that flight to Perth remains a matter of speculation. Fans and analysts alike await official confirmation, knowing that balancing family priorities and professional commitments is a delicate task for any player.