The Indian Cricket Team has been hit with a huge blow ahead of the blockbuster five-match Test series against Australia as it has emerged that captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss one Test in the series. The 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

According to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI), Rohit has informed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he could miss either the series opener or the second Test scheduled to take place in Adelaide from December 6. There reportedly remains a chance that issue can resolve itself and the Indian captain features in all five Tests

However, there is no clarity in who will captain Team India if Rohit misses out. India had not named a vice-captain for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh which has cast doubt over the situation.

Jasprit Bumrah: Although not given the vice-captain designation against Bangladesh, Jasprit Bumrah was officially Rohit's deputy in the Test series against South Africa and England. Bumrah led India against England in the one-off Test match at Edbaston in 2022, and it will be a huge surprise if he does not captain India in Rohit's absence.

Shubman Gill: Shubman Gill has come of age as a Test player in 2024 after a barren run last year. He has made three centuries in his last six Tests as well and has made the number three spot his own. Gill captained India in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and was named the vice-captain of the Indian ODI and T20I teams for the Sri Lanka tour. The star batter also led one team in the 2024 Duleep Trophy. The 25-year-old is evidently in BCCI's plan as a future captain, and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee handing him the responsibility against Australia cannot be ruled out.

Rishabh Pant: Rishabh Pant is already arguably India's wicket-keeper batter and was widely seen as India's next Test captain before his car accident. On his comeback to red-ball cricket after 21 months, the 27-year-old looked at his flawless best and conversations around bringing him back to the leadership group will naturally resume soon. Pant has already led India in T20Is having captained the Men in Blue in a five-match series against South Africa in June 2022.

Also Read: Big Blow For India! Rohit Sharma To Miss One Test Against Australia: Report

Apart from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, no player has led India more times in Test cricket than KL Rahul in the current squad. Rahul has captained India in three Test matches after leading the team in a Test match against South Africa at Jo'burg and the two-match series against Bangladesh in 2022. However, Rahul has lost the vice captain designation across formats, with his injury issues not helping his cause. With debates over his place in the squad, Agarkar choosing Rahul will come as a surprise.

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