- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:28 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs AUS Test 2024: India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is set to rejoin the team in Australia on Tuesday after attending to personal matters in India. Gambhir's absence meant he missed India's two-day match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra over the weekend.
The match, which saw the first day impacted by rain and reduced to a 50-over game, concluded with India securing a comfortable six-wicket victory. Shubman Gill starred with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 50, while Harshit Rana impressed with the ball, claiming 4/44 to dismantle the opposition.
During Gambhir's absence, the coaching duties were managed by support staff members Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel, who ensured the team's preparations remained on track.
In the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India were outplayed in the first two sessions of the opening day. But quickly turned the tides and staged a famous comeback in Perth. Records toppled as Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded the Indian team in the absence of designated skipper Rohit Sharma.
Rohit missed the opening Test due to the birth of his second child. Along with Rohit, Gill was another notable absentee from India's playing XI. Gill had injured his hand during a training session, which ruled him out of the opening Test.
In the absence of the duo, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel were brought in to fill the void in the batting line-up. KL Rahul was promoted to the opening slot to fill Rohit's absence. Under gruelling conditions, the seasoned stroke player made the most of the available opportunity.
He made a promising start in the first innings with a score of 26(74), and in his second turn, he left the spectators mesmerised with a composed 77(176).
With the return of captain and opener Rohit, Gambhir will ponder the combination that would be best suited for India in the second Test.
India stand 1-0 ahead in the series on the back of a stunning 295-run victory in Perth. The second Test will begin in Adelaide and will be played with the pink ball.
