MUMBAI: India captain Rohit Sharma said that he will not be playing for the first Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "I have informed this to the BCCI," he said. In Rohit Sharma's absence, India will be led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. The first Test will begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit also said that he will be joining the team before the second Test, which starts at the Adelaide Oval on December 6.

Rohit is currently in Mumbai with his family and his wife Ritika after the birth of his second child. Ritika gave birth to a baby boy the other day. According to sources in the BCCI, Rohit Sharma will not play in the first match and he will join the squad ahead of the second Test.

BCCI sources said that they support Rohit's decision to stay with his family. Virat Kohli had completely withdrawn from the Test series against England following the birth of his second child earlier this year. India's path to the World Test Championship final has taken a tough turn after they lost the test series 3-0 at home to New Zealand.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy match schedule

1st Test, November 22-26, Perth

2nd Test, December 6-10, Adelaide

3rd Test, Dec 14-18, Brisbane

4th Test, Dec 26-30, Melbourne

5th Test, Jan 3-7, Sydney