Rohit Sharma, who was on paternity leave and became father to a baby boy recently, joined the Indian team on the fourth day of the Perth Test and was spotted sitting with coach Gautam Gambhir in the dressing room of the Optus Stadium on Monday.
In Rohit’s absence, his deputy Jasprit Bumrah is leading the team in the opening match of the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy and KL Rahul opened batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rohit and his wife, Ritika, have been blessed with a second child. They also have a five-year-old daughter.
(India coach Gautam Gambhir, left, and Rohit Sharma – video grab)
Meanwhile, India drove themselves into a strong position in Perth, thanks to a much improved batting effort in the second innings — led by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) and Virat Kohli (100 not out).
After being bowled out for 150 in their first innings, Bumrah’s five-wicket spell helped India dismiss Australia for 104 to take a 46-run lead. The visitors then pushed the Aussies out of the game by racking up 487 for 6 in their second innings to set a mammoth 534-run target for the hosts.
The foundation of India’s big total was laid by an opening partnership of 201 runs between Jaiswal and Rahul (77). The success of the opening pair, however, will give a happy headache to coach Gambhir who now has Rohit back to resume opening for the team.
If that happens, which is most likely, and Shubman Gill too recovers from his finger injury to play the second Test, Rahul will have to bat in the middle order.
