India coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about captain Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Gautam Gambhir did not rule out the possibility of Rohit’s absence from the series finale, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, January 3.
India trail 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a 184-run loss in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Rohit Sharma has come under scrutiny after his repeated failures. The 37-year-old batsman missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his child, as Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian team to victory.
Rohit has been shuffled up the batting order but is yet to score more than 10 runs in an innings this series. He scored just 31 runs in five innings in this series (3, 6, 10, 3 and 9) at an average of 6.20, the lowest for an Australian touring captain. Rohit has scored 10 single-digit scores in 15 Test innings in 2024.
Rohit Sharma will be ruled out of the playing XI? – Gautam Gambhir responds
Gautam Gambhir spoke at the pre-match press conference in place of skipper Rohit Sharma in a last-minute change. Amid growing calls for the out-of-form skipper to be dropped, Gambhir would not confirm whether Rohit would play, stating that the final decision on the starting XI would be taken before the draw.
“We will receive the call-up to the playing XI at the draw after looking at the field tomorrow,” Gambhir said.
Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir engage in a long conversation as the team warms up at the SCG
Indications are that Rohit Sharma might be dropped due to his poor form, with Jasprit Bumrah likely to take over as captain. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah was seen in extended discussions with Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, even as the rest of the team continued their warm-ups at the SCG.
“The long conversation between Jasprit Bumrah and coach Gautam Gambhir is still ongoing while the rest of the team warms up at the SCG,” Sahil Malhotra said on Twitter.
The long conversation between Jasprit Bumrah and coach Gautam Gambhir is still going on while the rest of the team warms up at the SCG. pic.twitter.com/GDHo2qsdwO
– Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) January 2, 2025
Rohit Sharma’s absence from India sees Cordon slip in the training session at the SCG
Finally, in the practice session, Rohit was noticeably absent from the slip cordon, with Virat Kohli taking his usual position at first slip. Other players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant, also participated in the training.
Rohit was seen practicing his drive and kicking a football with his teammates. Bharat Sundaresan pointed out Rohit’s absence in the slip cordon, raising questions about his status in the upcoming Test.
“Amazing. Gautam Gambhir did not confirm whether Rohit Sharma will play tomorrow when asked directly if the captain is playing. While in warm-ups Rohit was practicing his driving while kicking a football with his teammates #AusvInd,” wrote Bharat Sundaresan.
“Rohit Sharma is not part of the potential new look slip cordon. With Kohli at first, KL at second and Reddy at third. While Shubman Gill picks the ball up for a spinner. Colossal conspiracy of Indian cricket #AusvInd,” he added.
amazing. Gautam Gambhir did not confirm whether Rohit Sharma would play tomorrow when he was directly asked whether the captain would play or not. While in the warm-up, Rohit was practicing his drive while kicking a football with his teammates #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/qhogr69p0b
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025
Rohit Sharma is not part of what is likely to be a new-look squad. With Kohli at first, KL at second and Reddy at third. While Shubman Gill was catching the spinner. The colossal conspiracy of Indian cricket #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/aynUip01Om
– Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Australia made changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final Test against India. Mitchell Marsh has been dropped and replaced by Beau Webster, who will make his debut in Sydney. Mitchell Starc has been declared fit and will take part in the match.
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