Australian cricketer Travis Head has backed Indian captain Rohit Sharma for delaying his travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, stating that he made the right decision. Rohit Sharma had stayed back in India due to his wife’s pregnancy. Last week, Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child, a baby boy. However, there remains no update on the Indian captain’s availability for the Perth Test or the subsequent match in Adelaide.
Captain Rohit Sharma will be one of India’s big absentees as they begin their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Perth on November 22. Rohit Sharma will remain in India following the birth of his second child, taking a paternity leave that will pave the way for Jasprit Bumrah to captain India in the first Test. Although a controversial decision in some circles, Australia star Travis Head spoke out in support of Rohit’s decision, stating that it was a choice he would make himself.
Travis Head backs Rohit Sharma’s decision to skip Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Australian batter Travis Head has backed India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to skip the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy after becoming a father for the second time recently. He stated that if he was in a similar situation, he would have done the same.
Rohit Sharma has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would be unavailable for the first Test against Australia in Perth as he wants to spend time with his family following the birth of his second child.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening India vs Australia Test at the Optus Stadium, Travis Head supported the Indian skipper’s decision. The Aussie opener said (as quoted by Revsportz):
“Hundred per cent, I support Rohit’s decision. I would have done the same in the same situation. We sacrifice a lot of things as a cricketer. We do live a very privileged life and we do also get looked after.
“But also, on the flip side, we keep missing important milestones. So, yeah, I would do the same thing if I were in his position. You do not get that time back. Hopefully, he returns at some stage in this series.”
The 30-year-old also stressed on the importance of balancing team and personal commitments, adding:
“It’s a team-first mentality, but also about understanding when it’s better to step back and recover properly.”
In Rohit Sharma’s absence, vice-captain and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah will captain the Indian team in the first Test in Perth, which starts on Friday, November 22.
Travis Head confident of India’s fightback in test series
Travis Head however was wary of the depleted Indian team stating that the recent history suggests that India have a knack of producing incredible performances when they are hurt.
“If you look at our history, you would not rule out any Indian team. Last two trips, they had injuries, they have doubts, people have questioned them, but they have pulled out good performances. Whoever they play, it is going to be a strong team,” Head said.
Travis Head, who is one of the most feared batters for India after his twin successes in the WTC and ODI World Cup finals in 2023 where his centuries helped Australia overcome India, was empathetic of the big decision Rohit Sharma had to make.
There is no clarity at the moment on when Rohit Sharma will join the Indian team. At the moment, the best case scenario is that Rohit Sharma will join the team midway through the first Test match. In case he does not make it to the Perth Test, Rohit Sharma might directly join the Indian team in Adelaide, where the Pink Ball Test match is going to be played.
“Rohit Sharma is set to miss the first Test. He will either join the team in Adelaide or join them in Perth in the middle of the Perth Test,” sources confirmed to India Today.
The form of Travis Head could be a crucial element in the BGT, with the left-hander capable of single-handedly changing the tide of a game from his middle-order position with quick runs. India will hope their bowlers have better luck against Head than in the big games last year when the series begins at the Optus Stadium.
Travis Head pointed out that India will remain a big threat even without their captain. India succeeded on their tour of Australia in 2020-21 when Virat Kohli, then captain, took time off to return home for the birth of his child. Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma could miss the Perth Test against Australia with Jasprit Bumrah taking his place as the Indian skipper. Meanwhile, the veteran batsman could be back in the team ahead of Adelaide match on November 30 and even play a 2 day warm up match.