The search for a backup opener has intensified as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be available for the first Test in Perth. India are scheduled to play a five-match Test series against Australia which could define their World Test Championship fate.

Except for two centuries on home soil, Rohit hasn't had much contribution in the red ball cricket this year and a place will be on offer in the opening match. A BCCI source told PTI, "There isn't any complete clarity about the situation. It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series."

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been in scorching form and has further sent a timely reminder with another century in the Ranji Trophy. The Bengal opener brought up his 27th First Class century against Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow on Monday.

With this century, the 29 year old has now had at least a three digit score in his last four First Class matches. Easwaran failed in the first inning but showed his ice cool mentality once again as he has taken another step towards taking that coveted opening spot in the Indian team.

BCCI already announced the squad for the New Zealand tour and Easwaran didn't have a place in the Indian contingent. The Bengal batter will be hopping to continue his dominant form which could further bolster his chances in the Australian tour.

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.