Gambhir bats for KL Rahul to open if Rohit misses first Test

For India players, young and old, the tour of Australia is a chance to show how good they really are

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

The shellacking received at the hands of New Zealand is a recent memory that the Indian team will have to shrug off as they get set for the tough tour of Australia. Their flight for Down Under took off on Monday morning from the Mumbai airport, and even though a tour of Australia is never easy, this time it feels like a tad tougher than it has been of late.

In the 10 days they have to prepare for the first Test, the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff have their task cut out. They need to help restore the players' confidence before the first ball is bowled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the bouncy track at Perth on November 22,

While working on lifting the shattered morale of their squad from the drubbing at home, Gambhir & Co have their plates full with the uncertainty over who will captain the team in the opening Test and, as a direct result, the vacany at the second opener position. Vicecaptain and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be skipper in Rohit's absence but there's a slim chance that Rohit may also be able to join on time.

"At the moment, there's no confirmation (if Rohit will play).