India captain Rohit Sharma walks off the field after losing his wicket during the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (AP Photo)
At the toss and later as the Indian playing XI lined up for the national anthem at the SCG, Rohit Sharma was conspicuous by his absence. Later, he was seen sitting in the area outside the dressing room, scratching his chin, one leg over the other, perhaps recalling the last walk at the MCG last week, which looks all set to be his final appearance for India in whites.
The Indian Express understands that Rohit Sharma isn’t part of the selectors plan beyond the Australia tour when it comes to red-ball cricket and it has already been communicated to him prior to the Sydney Test. Post the Australia tour, it is also understood that the selectors will also sit with Virat Kohli to discuss the way forward as the team is all set to enter its biggest-ever transition. Ravindra Jadeja, the other senior player in the squad, will continue to remain in the scheme of things with the all-rounder’s presence being valued in the transition.
With regards to Rohit Sharma not playing at Sydney, it seems to have been a decision taken by the player and head coach Gautam Gambhir after the meeting with the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar. With the series on the line, Rohit’s struggles with the bat – he has scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 & 9 – showed no signs of ending and his low confidence reflected on the field on his captaincy, the decision to rest/drop isn’t a point of debate.
READ MORE: The Melbourne effect as for the first time, captain Rohit Sharma sits out and Jasprit Bumrah steps into his shoes
At the toss, Bumrah confirmed what The Indian Express reported on Thursday, regarding Rohit Sharma sitting out in Sydney. “Obviously, our captain (Rohit) has shown his leadership as well. He’s opted to rest in this game. So that shows that there’s a lot of unity in our team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the team’s best interest, we’re looking to do that,” the stand-in captain said at the toss.
Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. (Express photo by Sriram Veera)
The big question is whether a captain who was dropped for a Test, even if India makes it to the WTC final, could still make a comeback to the side. As things stand, it is highly unlikely, with the selectors understood to be unanimous in their decision to look beyond Rohit. With regards to the Champions Trophy that is coming up in the 50-over format, they are set to have a discussion in the coming days when the team returns to India.
READ MORE: Sanjay Manjrekar says Rohit Sharma is not an all-time great to keep his exclusion mysterious
Speaking to the host broadcaster, batting great Sunil Gavaskar said Rohit may have played his last Test. “I think it probably means that (if) India don’t qualify for the WTC final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma’s last game. The (next) WTC cycle will start with the England series, and the selectors would likely want someone available for the 2027 final. Whether India gets there or not is another matter, but that’s what the selection committee is likely to do. We have probably seen Rohit Sharma for the last time in Test cricket,” Gavaskar said.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Rohit may take a decision at the end of the Sydney Test. “If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test,” he said on commentary. “He’s not getting younger … it’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it’s time to build. Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything.”
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