According to a report in Indian Express, fast bowler Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy are set to make their Test debuts for India in the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Friday. The report further claims that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will not play the first Test match in Perth. Instead, Washington Sundar is expected to play as a spin option. When it comes to the batting department, KL Rahul is expected to open the innings along with Yeshswi Jaiswal while Dev Dutt Padikal will bat at No.3 as Shibman Gill is ruled out due to injury.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is set to reunite with his team in Australia, joining the team on the third day of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth on November 24. Rohit’s departure was delayed due to personal reasons, as he and his wife Ritika Sajde celebrated the birth of their second child, a baby boy, on 15 November.

While the Indian team left for Australia in three batches between November 9 and 11, Rohit chose to stay in India to be with his family. His late arrival means he will miss the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth starting on Friday. However, the Indian skipper will be available for the second Test scheduled from December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval.

Jasprit Bumrah, named vice-captain in the squad, will lead India in the Perth Test and Pat Cummins will captain Australia, marking a rare occasion when two bowlers will lead their respective sides in a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Meanwhile, as part of the build-up to the Adelaide Test, Rohit will take part in a two-day day-night practice match between the India A team and the Prime Minister’s XI. According to a Cricbuzz report, the matches at Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 30 and December 1 will give Rohit an opportunity to acclimatise to the Australian conditions and regain match fitness.

Rohit’s delayed trip to Australia had been the subject of intense speculation in the cricketing community. With the team already facing challenges due to injuries and absences, including Shibman Gill’s thumb injury and Jasprit Bumrah’s role as stand-in captain, there were concerns about when the captain would join the team.

India’s probable XI for the first Test against Australia: KL Rahul, Yashvi Jaiswal, Dev Dutt Padikal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jural, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (captain).

(With IANS input)