AUS vs IND, Perth Test, 2024-25: What are the areas Senior players needs to work on in Rohit Sharma's absence? Will Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant rise to the occasion?
Even before the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, India have suffered a huge blow. Their Test captain, Rohit Sharma, will be missing the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Reportedly, the opening batter has taken a paternity leave for the contest scheduled to begin on November 22. India’s vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, will walk for the toss, shouldering the responsibility of the team.
The Blue Brigade will miss the services of Rohit at the opening spot. After all, he is the fourth leading Test run-getter as a captain since the start of 2022 with 1223 runs. His average of 33.97 is decent, along with the strike rate of over 60, shouldering four centuries and as many half-centuries. In his absence, the team expects the senior members, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Bumrah, to step up.
Tasks ahead of the leadership group for India in the Perth Test
Shouldering a winning mentality
The morale of the team, undoubtedly, has been down on the back of their 0-3 clean sweep at home against New Zealand. But that was also the case when they were bundled out for a paltry 36 in Adelaide during the 2020/21 series. The team, on that occasion, displayed great character and a winning mentality to turn the table.
They need to carry the same temperament in this series. To keep the environment charged up, all of Kohli, Pant, and Bumrah have to be at their best. The visiting side will also need to win four of the five Tests without registering a defeat. Only that will confirm their participation in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
The pressure has been immense on the batting unit after their struggles against the Kiwi bowlers. But these veterans have enjoyed the conditions down under. Virat Kohli has cracked 1352 Test runs in Australia at an average of 54.08, shouldering six centuries and 14 fifties.
In 2018, he celebrated an amazing 123-run knock with the help of 13 boundaries and one six in Perth. Rishabh Pant has nailed 624 runs in 12 red-ball innings down under. His average of 62.40 will encourage the management along with his one hundred and two half-centuries.
Jasprit Bumrah has enjoyed the pace and bounce of those surfaces, having collected 32 Test scalps in 14 innings in Australia. With an average of just over 20 and a strike rate of 51.5, he will lead the bowling department. These three have made massive contributions in both successive series victories on the last two occasions.
Playing as a unit
The upcoming eight weeks will be massive for the players, mentally and physically. The last couple of Test trips to Australia have generated some new talents for India, but that was when the seniors stood tall. A few of the players are also expected to make their maiden appearances in this series. To put them in a comfort zone, the experienced members will be required to show their class.
Bumrah will have to carry the authority of the bowling group, especially in the absence of Mohammed Shami. The management will keep an eye on Kohli to deliver at the top in the absence of Rohit. The middle order will expect Pant to bail them out from tough positions.
During the home series, India’s batting department failed collectively against New Zealand. The all-rounders and bowlers were required to donate with the bat. However, the pitches will be better in Australia, and the batters will be needed to put big scores on the board. Win or lose, but they will hope to display the fight together.
Forget the past and enjoy the present
The last four weeks have been dismal for the Blue Brigade, with the rarest home Test series defeat. This came for the first time since their 2-1 loss in the 2012/13 series against England. From a comfortable position of qualifying for their third consecutive WTC final, they have found themselves miles away from the goal.
Hence, the primary job of the players will be to get their minds away from the past. India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has advocated for the same intention.
“Not looking at WTC. Every series is important irrespective of what's happened in the past. Keen to go and perform well. I think it's two good teams competing. We will go and try to win the series,” Gambhir expressed before their departure to Australia.
They have already beaten Australia on successive occasions down under. They have retained the BGT for the last four times and will aim to do the same. Freshness and freedom with an open mindset and crystal clear planning will drive them to new heights.
The pitches will be different, and the batters will also love their time in the middle. Proper execution of the plans and being at present will help them claim both the BGT and the ticket for the WTC final.
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