IND vs AUS: Gautam Gambhir clears Rohit Sharma's picture; names Jasprit Bumrah captain, reveals India's openers

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir shed light on his team’s approach heading into their upcoming high-voltage Test series in Australia, emphasizing that the focus is purely on delivering strong performances in each match rather than focusing on the WTC Final.

As India heads to Perth for the first Test against Australia, Gautam Gambhir stressed that every series is important for the team, downplaying the impact of their recent whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home.

Gautam Gambhir focuses on "strong AI", clarity on Rohit Sharma's availability is still awaited

The coach also ensured that the Indian cricket team will field its strongest XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opening test in Australia.

Gautam Gambhir at the press conference on Monday: “Not looking at WTC. Every series is important, irrespective of what's happened in the past. Keen to go and perform well. Easwaran, KL, as Rohit's replacement. To play best XI closer to the 1st Test.”

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir gives a shutup call on Harshit Rana for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Indian head coach also broke silence on Rohit Sharma’s availability for the upcoming five-match Test series opener against Australia. Gambhir said that there is still no clarity about Rohit Sharma’s availability, but he revealed that Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul are the frontrunners to step up as the Indian skipper’s replacements if the need arises.

Gambhir noted Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test in Perth: “There is no confirmation. We'll let you know. Hopefully, he’ll be available. Everything you’ll get to know by the start of the series.”

Gautam Gambhir confirms Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in Rohit Sharma's absence on Australia tour

Gambhir also confirmed that the vice-captain and premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in Rohit Sharma’s absence on the upcoming Australia tour. The head coach confirmed by saying: “Bumrah is the vice-captain so he’s going to lead if Rohit is not available.”

🚨 Bumrah is the vice captain. He'll lead the side in Rohit's absence.#BGT2025 #BGT2024 https://t.co/C5QK8IQCQ8

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 11, 2024

Meanwhile, India has slipped from the top position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings, now trailing behind Australia after the New Zealand series. This loss has dealt a blow to India’s WTC final hopes, pushing them down to the second spot with a points percentage (PCT) of 58.33, with Australia leading the chart with a PCT of 62.5.

I am not facing any heat, focusing on winning BGT in Australia: Gambhir

However, Gambhir has insisted that the Indian cricket team is not looking at the WTC final scenario, but rather focusing on recording a hat-trick of Test series wins on Australian soil. He noted, “We are not looking at the points table. We are absolutely focused on the Border-Gavaskar series and win it.”

Read Also: 'Overconfident’ Hardik Pandya embarrasses himself with 'enjoy from other end' jibe to Arshdeep Singh in 2nd T20I

After a tough 3-0 Test series defeat at home to New Zealand, Gambhir has also been facing a lot of criticism for his leadership approach, but the Indian coach denied facing any heat before leaving for the crucial Australia tour, starting with the first Test in Perth from November 22.

Gambhir signed off by saying, “When I took the job, I knew that it was going to be a prestigious job and at the same time a tough one. I am not facing any heat.”