Questions Swirl About Future Of Rohit Sharma

SYDNEY (Reuters/ANI) – It has been a tumultuous run for Indian cricket, with challenges mounting in the ongoing Test series against Australia. As the team prepares for the final Test in Sydney, questions about Rohit Sharma’s future in the squad are intensifying. The Indian ODI and Test captain is expected to be rested for the fifth Test, with Jasprit Bumrah poised to lead the side in his absence, according to sources.

Rohit Sharma has struggled with the bat throughout this series, managing just 31 runs across the past three matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite a series of changes to his batting position, Rohit has failed to make significant contributions, and sources suggest that he will likely be replaced by Shubman Gill for the Sydney Test.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed concerns during the pre-match press conference on January 2, confirming that the playing eleven would be announced after evaluating the Sydney Cricket Ground’s pitch. He emphasized the importance of team discussions remaining private, asserting that each player knows the areas they need to work on. When questioned about Rohit’s participation, Gambhir reassured that everything was fine with the captain, adding, “We will announce the playing XI tomorrow after evaluating the pitch. Our focus is on winning the next test, as it is crucial for us.”

Australia’s victory in the Melbourne Test, where they clinched a 184-run win, handed them a 2-1 lead in the series, severely denting India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s. The significance of the Sydney Test, for both the series outcome and India’s WTC qualification, has only added to the tension.

Interestingly, there were reports that an influential cricket administrator had requested Gambhir to include Rohit Sharma in the playing eleven for the Sydney Test, potentially to allow the captain to bow out from Test cricket on his terms. However, Gambhir remained firm in prioritizing India’s victory and chances for the WTC Final, rejecting the request.

Should Rohit Sharma be dropped, he will become the first Indian captain to be left out due to poor form. This would mark a sharp contrast to the retirements of former captains MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble, who stepped down mid-series due to physical limitations. However, in Rohit’s case, it would be a decision based purely on form, with Gambhir reiterating that only performance can secure a place in the team under his leadership.

If Rohit doesn’t feature in the playing XI for the Sydney Test, it could signal the end of his Test career, with his last innings at the MCG earlier this week underlining his struggles in this format. Meanwhile, Bumrah, who has been India’s top performer in the series, is set to take over the leadership role, having led India to their only Test win on this tour—an impressive 295-run victory in Perth.

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