Michael Clarke has come out in support of Rohit Sharma's decision to miss the Perth Test and be with his family as he welcomed his second child. Rohit and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on November 15.

Rohit and Ritika, who had married in 2015 and welcomed daughter Samaira into their lives three years later, took to social media to announce the birth of their son on Saturday.

Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in Perth in Rohit's absence. Bumrah has led India in one Test previously, the fifth Test of their two-part 2021-22 tour of England at Edgbaston, when Rohit had tested positive for Covid-19.

The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth.

Rohit's likely absence from the first Test is because his wife Ritika Sajdeh is expecting their second child in the third week of November. A source was quoted by India Today saying, "Rohit Sharma won't travel with the team to Australia. There were suggestions he might travel but now he isn't. His wife's delivery is expected next week."

By Ian Omoro Rohit Sharma will not be available to captain India in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, which begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in P

If Jasprit Bumrah can take India to a 1-0 lead in Perth, it could throw Rohit Sharma's return as captain into question, implied the former Australia captain.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will watch the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth from the sidelines.