Michael Clarke has come out in support of Rohit Sharma's decision to miss the Perth Test and be with his family as he welcomed his second child. Rohit and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on November 15.

Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in Perth in Rohit's absence. Bumrah has led India in one Test previously, the fifth Test of their two-part 2021-22 tour of England at Edgbaston, when Rohit had tested positive for Covid-19.

According to a report from ESPNCricinfo, the star Indian opener Rohit Sharma will not be available for the team selection for the opening Test match against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah will take the captain's armband for the Perth Test starting on November 22.

Rohit Sharma is expected to join the team before the second Test in Adelaide which will be played with a pink ball, under lights.

Rohit's likely absence from the first Test is because his wife Ritika Sajdeh is expecting their second child in the third week of November. A source was quoted by India Today saying, "Rohit Sharma won't travel with the team to Australia. There were suggestions he might travel but now he isn't. His wife's delivery is expected next week."

By Ian Omoro Rohit Sharma will not be available to captain India in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, which begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in P

If Jasprit Bumrah can take India to a 1-0 lead in Perth, it could throw Rohit Sharma's return as captain into question, implied the former Australia captain.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will watch the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth from the sidelines.