The situation grows increasingly complicated for Rohit Sharma, as head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that a decision on the Indian skipper’s inclusion in the playing XI for the final Test in Sydney has yet to be finalized. This announcement came during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Rohit has faced significant criticism for his poor performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His contributions, particularly with the bat, have been underwhelming, failing to make a meaningful impact throughout the series.
According to the data, Rohit’s struggles with the bat have resulted in a dismal record. He has scored just 31 runs at an average of 6.20, the lowest for any touring captain in a Test series in Australia (minimum five innings).
Speculation about Rohit’s future in Test cricket has intensified, with whispers of potential retirement and scrutiny over his leadership. Dropping the skipper from the playing XI now seems like a drastic but possible option for the team management.
Gambhir, while tight-lipped about the matter, confirmed during the press conference that the final decision on Rohit Sharma inclusion would depend on the pitch assessment. “We will take the Playing XI call after looking at the pitch tomorrow,” Gambhir stated, as reported by a leading publication.
The stakes for India in the final Test at Sydney are incredibly high. Securing a victory is crucial not only to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also to keep their slim hopes alive for qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa.
Anything less than a win in the Sydney Test, starting tomorrow, would eliminate India from WTC contention, handing Australia both the series and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
