India's Test captain Rohit Sharma There was no playing XI for the fifth and final Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrahh, enter as captain, said that Rohit chose to sit out the match for the good of the team. However, the omission of Rohit's name from the BCCI's list of sanctioned teams for the match suggests a problem. Rohit's absence paved the way Shubman Gill to regain his place in the XI, raising questions about the future of the former Test batter's career.
Ravi Shastri's Prediction: Retirement
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri he thought about the situation at the moment ICC reviewmeaning that Rohit might announce his retirement from test cricket after the ongoing series. Shastri said, “He will take a call on his career, but I won't be surprised if Rohit retires. he's not growing up,”
Shastri highlighted the presence of promising players like Gill, who boasts more than 40 in 2024 but has been used sparingly in the series. He also emphasized that if India is eligible World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 last time in England, Rohit may decide to leave.
“There are some young players in the wings, there's Shubman Gill, a 40-year-old in 2024. It boggles your mind what he's doing sitting on the bench warming up. So I won't be surprised but it's his call. At the end of the day, if India make it to the World Test Championship (Final) or if he still deserves the World Test Championship Final, then that's another thing. If not, I think it would be a good time – but (if Sharma is playing) he should coming out with the light of glory,” Shastri concluded.
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Fighting against Rohit is a missed opportunity
Rohit Sharma's performance in the ongoing series has been below, fueling speculation about his Test future. In BGT's five innings, the Indian skipper managed to score just 31 runs at an average of 6.20. After missing the opening Test, Rohit has failed to deliver an impactful innings for the next match. With the team's qualification for the WTC finals all but over, his absence from the Sydney Test comes at a critical time.
India face a must win in the fifth Test to stay in the WTC finals. A win would see India can beat Australia and South Africa in the WTC stands, where a defeat or draw would guarantee Australia's place in the final alongside South Africa. Australia currently leads the five-match series 2-1, putting a lot of pressure on India to win in Sydney.