[Watch] Rohit Sharma arrives in Australia for remainder of IND vs AUS BGT 2024-25 Test series

India captain Rohit Sharma arrived in Australia for the remaining four Tests Down Under on Sunday, November 24. The 37-year-old will soon join Team India in Perth, which is hosting the first Test of the five-match series. He missed the first Test owing to paternity leave after the birth of his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh, a baby boy earlier this month.

In a video doing the rounds on X, Rohit was seen boarding an Audi car seemingly outside the airport to reach the team hotel.

Watch the video below:

Rohit enjoys playing against Australia, with 3,571 runs across formats, including nine centuries. In Australia, he has 2,033 runs across formats. In Tests, he has amassed 408 runs in seven matches, including three half-centuries.

With Rohit set to return, KL Rahul might play as a middle-order batter in the next Test in Adelaide, which starts on December 6. The tourists will play a tour match against the Prime Minister XI before the second Test, which might help Rohit regain his form.

Notably, Rohit has failed to deliver in his last five Tests, scoring just 133 runs, comprising a solitary half-century.

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Aaron Finch and Travis Head defended Rohit Sharma for skipping the first Test Down Under

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch and swashbuckling batter Travis Head recently defended Rohit Sharma’s call to stay with family after the birth of his child.

Finch told ESPNcricinfo (via India Today):

“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.”

Head commented (via livemint.com):

"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.”

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah is leading India in the first Test. The tourists have extended their lead past 400 in the second innings.

Follow the IND vs AUS 1st Test live score and updates here.