Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket captain, was seen leaving for Australia on Saturday, accompanied by his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, as they made their way to the Mumbai International Airport. The couple had recently welcomed their second child, a baby boy, just a week before. Given that Ritika’s due date coincided closely with the first Test in Perth, Rohit made the decision to remain with her and miss the opening match. As a result, Jasprit Bumrah took over the captaincy for the Test match at Optus Stadium.Rohit Sharma shared an emotional hug with his wife, Ritika, before leaving for Australia, with plans to reach Perth on.
Rohit, expected to arrive in Perth on Sunday, will likely join the squad soon, after his brief stay with Ritika and their newborn. He is expected to play in the practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI before taking charge of the team again for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 6.
Before his departure, Rohit shared an emotional goodbye hug with Ritika at the airport, marking a heartfelt moment between the couple. This gesture further underlined the support and bond between them as Rohit set off for the remainder of the series.
Meanwhile, India has been putting on a strong performance in the opening Test, with an impressive 218-run lead over Australia by the end of Day 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal played an unbeaten and steady knock of 90, while KL Rahul added a stylish 62. Their partnership of 172 runs without loss helped India maintain a commanding position in the match. Jaiswal faced 193 balls, and Rahul fended off 153 balls, contributing to the team’s solid progress. The pair’s determination against Australia’s world-class bowling attack gave India a substantial advantage in the game. Rohit Sharma shared an emotional hug with his wife, Ritika, before leaving for Australia, with plans to reach Perth on.
India had suffered a tough 3-0 loss to New Zealand in their last home series, and they were under pressure to perform well in the ongoing match. However, their resilience showed as they bounced back impressively in their second innings. They began with a 46-run advantage after dismissing Australia for just 104 runs in their first innings, led by a superb bowling effort from Bumrah (5/30) and Harshit Rana (3/48). Their performance with the ball ensured India was firmly in control as the Test continued.
The team’s response after their modest first innings total of 150 displayed strong character, and they now look poised to take a commanding lead in the series.
