A pressing question that has been on everyone's minds is whether India's captain, Rohit Sharma, will be taking the field in the first Test.

KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad for the second four-day match against Australia A.

Highlighting the impact Pant created in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, Kaif suggested that the wicket-keeper batter had the Kiwis nervous for as long as he was on the pitch. Kaif also lauded Pant's dramatic improvement in recent years, saying he is the only true candidate for Test captaincy once Rohit steps down.

Ahead of this crucial series against a formidable Australian side, India will need strong leadership to succeed

Having been whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand, the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is of utmost importance to India. Earlier there were reports that Rohit might not travel with the team for the first Test in Perth.

Rohit Sharma is doubtful to play the first Test against Australia in Perth. The India captain hinted at skipping the Test match while speaking to media after the end of the home series against New Zealand.

Tim Paine will be the coach of the Australian Prime Minister's XI for the warmup match between the team and India during the BGT.