India face a daunting task as they aim to bounce back from their series defeat against New Zealand and challenge Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With a 4-0 victory being a near-impossible feat,

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to stand in as skipper — an appointment Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes should be locked in for all five matches, regardless of when Rohit returns. “It is important for the captain to play the first Test match,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.

Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most pivotal players, will be staying back in India for the birth of his second child, expected in the third week of November.