"Look, at the moment there is no confirmation, but we guys will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available, but everything you want to get to know before the start of the series. Bumrah is the vice-captain, so obviously he will (lead the team). If Rohit is not available, he is going to lead in Perth", Gambhir

Rohit's possible absence also leaves a spot vacant at the top of the batting order and Gambhir said one among the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul, who both played in the unofficial Tests against Australia A for India A, will be picked

"Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL there (in Australia). We will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available", Gambhir said

"There are options there. It is not that there are no options. There are quite a lot of options in this spot. Once it gets closer to the first Test match, we will try and play the best playing XI who is going to do the job for us", he added

"Yeah, because there are times when you go with the experienced players as well, I think and that is the quality of a man that he (Rahul) can actually bat at the top of the order, he can bat at number 3 and he can actually bat at number 6 as well," said the former southpaw

"So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kind of jobs as well and he has kept wickets in one day format as well. So imagine how many countries have players like KL who can actually open the batting and can bat at number 6 as well? So I feel that if needed be, I think he (Rahul) can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match", Gambhir said

The coach backed uncapped all-rounder Harshit Rana, who has a batting average of 21 in first-class cricket and was picked ahead of veteran pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur to come good in the upcoming series

"It is also about moving forward and I feel that this is the best set of players that we have selected to do the job for the country", Gambhir indicated that doors are closed on Shardul Thakur for the time being

"We have picked the best squad who can do the job for us. Nitish Reddy, we all know that how incredibly talented he is and if given an option, he will deliver for us", Gambhir said while continuing to back the Andhra player