Former India coach Ravi Shastri has projected the India XI in the event that Rohit Sharma is unable to play in the first Test of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and India in Perth, which is less than a week away. ‘Personal circumstances’ were the excuse Rohit Sharma gave for skipping the match on November 3. According to the stories that surfaced last night, he and his wife Ritika were blessed with a son.

In a video that included Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson from the South Africa T20I series, the Indian cricket team wished the ODI and Test captain a happy birthday on November 16, 2024, for the birth of his kid. However, whether Rohit travels to Perth for the first Test is still up in the air.

Shubman Gill should be promoted, according to Ravi Shastri, since he has opening experience with Australia. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will provide a left-right combination, will be his opening choice.

Selectors have a choice, and that’s a difficult one. Shastri told the ICC Review, “You can push Shubman (Gill) back up the order and he has opened in Australia before.”

Although Sarfaraz Khan did a great job during the home series against New Zealand, the 62-year-old will be replaced by Dhruv Jurel because of his ability to remain composed and perform effectively under duress.

“I believe Dhruv Jurel can play as a (specialist) hitter with ease. His attitude, his ability to remain composed under pressure, and the tightness he brought to his game were what most struck me. Even in the series against England earlier this year, he stood up to the bat whenever things got tough. He added, “I like what I saw, and if he’s in good nick, I’ll be quite prepared to give him a go.”

Because to his general batting and fielding skills, he chose Ravindra Jadeja over Ravi Ashwin.

Which should I choose right now, Ashwin or Jadeja? It’s current shape over there, however. In addition to his hitting, Jadeja’s fielding is quite valuable. Therefore, he would often have the upper hand abroad. Shastri said, “But it’s again how they see it and what the form looks like in the nets.”

Beginning on November 22, the first BGT test will be administered.

Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (week), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja/Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj are the players in India’s predicted starting lineup.