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Rohit Sharma has reportedly opted out of the fifth Test. He informed the head coach, Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar about his stunning decision to which the duo agreed.
India captain Rohit Sharma
Amid the ongoing controversy around the Indian cricket team in Australia, multiple media reports have said that captain Rohit Sharma is set to be ‘rested’ for the final fixture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting Friday in Sydney. In his absence, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side, which aims to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
According to The Indian Express, the Indian skipper has opted out of the fifth Test. He informed the head coach, Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar about his stunning decision to which the duo agreed.
The report further stated that coach Gambhir had a long intense conversation with Bumrah on the eve of the fifth Test, while the fielding drills were underway. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper briefly batted in the nets and was the last one to walk in for the practice. He also missed out on the routine slip practice sessions.
If Rohit sits out, then Shubman Gill will return to the playing XI bat at number 3. KL Rahul will be back in the opening slot, alongside Yashasvi Jasiwal. Another change on the cards will be Prasidh Krishna replacing an injured Akash Deep, who was ruled out of the series finale on Thursday.
Reacting to the development, former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal said it’s a good decision by the team management to bench Rohit Sharma in the fifth Test. Speaking to CNN-News18, Lal opined that when a player isn’t in form, it is better to rest him.
“It’s a very good decision taken by the team management,” Lal said. “I think the captain was also a part of this decision. Sometimes if you are not in the form, it is better to be get rested,” Lal told News18.
Earlier on Thursday, Gambhir wasn’t affirmative about Rohit’s inclusion in the Playing XI for the Sydney Test. On being asked about it categorically, he refused to give away anything.
“We will look at the wicket and announce the playing XI tomorrow,” he said at the presser
“Everything is fine with Rohit. I don’t think there is anything traditional about it. The head coach is here, that should be fine. That should be good enough. And we have to look at the wicket to finalise the playing XI tomorrow,” he added.
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
