'Teams are scared of Rohit': Ex-Pak skipper feels Sharma's absence will hurt India vs Aus

With Team India's limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma set to miss white-ball series against Australia, former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja has stated that swashbuckling opener's absence will be a 'big loss' to Men in Blue. cricketer-turned-commentator also went on to say that teams are 'scared' of Rohit Sharma, who is a match-winner. Backing his remarks, Raja highlighted that when team huddle toger before a batsman takes crease, it says a lot. 

former Pakistan skipper also believes that India have a very good chance of retaining Border Gavaskar trophy, despite absence of skipper Virat Kohli in last three Tests of series. Pointing out reason behind India's vant, he stated that pitches in Australia are t similar to what y were a few years ago. 

RE | 'Time For Kohli To Step Down': Nasser Hussain Backs Rohit Sharma To Be India Captain

" pitches in Australia are longer what y used to be some years back. I mean re is less bounce, sideways movement and y are less vemous. And I think Australia will want to have full five-day Tests against India for viewership figures given ir requirements," Rameez said on Cricket Baaz channel. He also praised Indian pace battery which includes likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yav and Ishant Sharma. 

RE | Glenn McGrath Identifies Australia's 'X-factor' That Might Trouble India In Test Series

Rohit's ro to recovery 

Mumbai skipper, who has been rested for limited-overs series against Australia, began his ro to recovery at National Cricket Acemy (NCA) in Bengaluru on Thursday. Sharma has been included in Test squ and might also be asked to le side as Virat Kohli will be homebound after first Test for birth of his first child. Though Rohit said he was absolutely fine, BCCI felt he needed more time to recover from hamstring injury he h suffered during IPL. Along with Rohit, veteran speedster Ishant Sharma also bowled full tilt under watchful supervision of NCA chief Rahul Dravid and chief selector Sunil Joshi. Both Ishant and Rohit will fly to Australia toger and undergo a 14-day quarantine before joining team which has alrey begun practising for limited-overs series. 

RE | Tim Paine Reveals Australia 'Love To Hate' Virat Kohli, Shrugs Off Indian Skipper

India tour of Australia 

India will kick off ir tour to Australia with a three-match ODI series starting on Friday, 27 vember, followed by as many T20Is and four Tests. T20Is will be played in Canberra (4 December) and Sydney (6, 8 December). 

first Test will be a day/night affair, from 17-21 December at elaide Oval. Melbourne Cricket Ground (26-30 December) will host Boxing Day Test, before action moves to Sydney Cricket Ground (7-11 January) and Gabba (15-19 January). With India currently on top of World Test Championship table and Australia in second, series is expected to be a thriller, as it will also be a part of ICC World Test Championship.

RE | David Warner To Have Final Say In Will Pucovski's Inclusion To Playing XI Vs India