Australia's star batter Travis Head has backed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to stay back with his family and delay joining the squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Rohit is likely to miss the first Test at Perth Stadium and stay back with his new-born son and wife Ritika Sadjeh. On the sidelines of Australia's practice session on November 18 in Perth, Head said that he would have done the same thing if he was in Rohit's place.
"I 100 percent support his decision. I would do the same thing in same situation. We sacrifice a lot of things as cricketers, we do live a very privileged life and get looked after but on the flip side we do miss some important milestones. I would've done the same thing if I was in that position. He has made the right call," Head told the reporters.
Earlier, Head had missed the white-ball series at home against Pakistan to spend time with his wife Jess as the couple were expecting their second baby.
“I’ll probably make decisions in the future around family more, and what drives me to play is probably more my family and my teammates,” Head said as he announced that he will miss South Australia's Sheffield Shield game as well.
Before Head, former Australia captain Aaron Finch had backed Rohit's decision to stay at home as well.
"I disagree with Sunny (Sunil Gavaskar) on that totally. Rohit Sharma is the captain of the Indian cricket team. If you need to stay at home because your wife's going to have a baby that's such a beautiful moment and you take all the time that you need in that regard," Finch said on Around the Wicket show in ESPNcricinfo.
Rohit to join Indian squad in Perth
On November 18, Sports Tak learnt that Rohit is likely to join the Indian squad during the Perth Test. In his absence, fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit will lead the side. Rohit is likely to play India's two-day warm-up game at Manuka Oval, Canberra starting November 30. Rohit will be back to lead the squad for the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval starting December 6.
Australia's squad for Perth Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
