Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah on Friday was named vice-captain of India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The move could indicate that Bumrah is being groomed to lead the team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, as there was no designated vice-captain during the recent two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Bumrah’s elevation as vice-captain comes just a day after reports emerged that Rohit could miss one of the first two Tests against Australia due to personal reasons.

The Indian team will embark on tough five-Test series in Australia starting November 22 in Perth and there is a possibility that Rohit could give either the first or the second game in Adelaide (December 6-10) a miss.

“There isn’t any complete clarity about the situation. It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

In case, the personal issue is sorted before the start of the series, he might play all five Tests. We will get to know more in coming days,” he said.

The 37-year-old Rohit played both the home Tests against Bangladesh. India will next host New Zealand for a three-Test rubber starting October 16.

In case Rohit misses a Test match in Australia, the in-form Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to be his cover although Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also players with enough experience in the opening slot.

Easwaran will also be in Australia with the India A team which he is supposed to lead.

However, there is no word who the vice-captain of the Test team will be as there was no official deputy for Rohit during the recent home series against Bangladesh.

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