Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin To Play 2nd Test vs Australia? Rohit Sharma's "Huge Role" Remark For Spin Duo

India captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday endorsed the exclusion of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin from the first Test against Australia at Perth, saying it was the "right thing to do" but backed the two veterans to play a "huge role" in the rest of the series. Coming off a 0-3 hammering to New Zealand at home, India took an audacious call to leave out Ashwin and Jadeja while handing Test debuts to Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy. The decision paid rich dividends as both the young players made vital contributions in India's 295-run win.

Rohit told the media on the eve of the second Test, "Unfortunately, I was not there to bring this news to them that they are not playing the first game. It's always hard to leave (out) experienced players like Jadeja and Ashwin, it's never easy."

"But the decision was made (on the basis of) whatever was best for the team at that particular time and whatever the management felt at that particular time is the right thing to do, we did that."

Rohit reckoned Ashwin and Jadeja, who have 855 Test wickets between them, would play a huge role in the remainder of the five-match series as India look to keep alive their hopes of making a third appearance in the World Test Championship final next year.

"That is what, throughout the series, we will look to do - whatever we feel at that particular time is the right thing to do. We will try and do that. But I certainly see them playing a huge role in the rest of the series," he said.

"What they bring to the table (can) never be written off. They are quality players and whatever success Indian cricket has had over the past few years is largely because of these two guys as well.

"We will never count that (out) - performances of theirs - (and) what