Sydney: Indian captain Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to be excluded from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney, with vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the team in his absence.
According to India Today, Rohit Sharma, who has represented India in 67 Tests, may not play long-format cricket for the national team again unless the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intervenes and requests him to reconsider. Sources suggest the fourth Test in Melbourne might have been his last.
Shubman Gill is expected to replace Rohit in the playing XI and bat at No. 3, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings in the series decider.
Limited Participation in Training
Rohit’s participation in India’s final training session before the Sydney Test was brief. He engaged in discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir, other coaches, and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah but refrained from net practice with the primary group, which included Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. He later batted for just 10 minutes in the nets and was spotted in conversation with Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah near the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) stands.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, addressing the media instead of the captain—a break from tradition—declined to confirm Rohit’s inclusion in the playing XI. “Rohit is fine, and I don’t see this as a deviation from tradition. The head coach is here, which should suffice. We will finalize the XI after assessing the pitch tomorrow,” Gambhir said when pressed about Rohit’s availability.
Shubman Gill and Bowling Changes
Shubman Gill, who was dropped for the fourth Test, is set to reclaim his spot at No. 3 in the batting order. Meanwhile, pacer Avesh Khan will miss the final Test due to a back injury, and either Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana will replace him.
Harshit Rana featured in the first two Tests in Perth and Adelaide but was dropped for Avesh Khan, while Prasidh Krishna last played a Test in January 2022 against South Africa.
India’s Bid to Retain the Trophy
India will look to level the series at 2-2 with a win in Sydney, ensuring they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as defending champions. A drawn series will suffice for India to hold onto the title.
