In an interesting turn of events, it has been reported that Rohit Sharma has decided to opt out of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. As Sharma sits out, Jasprit Bumrah will be India’s stand-in skipper for the Sydney Test.
According to the Indian Express report, the Indian captain conveyed his decision to head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. It is understood that both Gambhir and Agarkar agreed with Sharma’s decision.
Now that clearly means that the right-hand opener perhaps played his last Test match in Melbourne, which India lost by 184 runs. Given Sharma’s recent form in red-ball cricket, it’s highly likely he won’t be part of India’s next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, which starts in June 2025.
With Sharma now rested, Shubman Gill, who was left out of India’s squad for the fourth Test, will slot back into the playing XI. Meanwhile, KL Rahul will move up to open the innings along with Yashavi Jaiswal.
Apart from that, the team will make a fixed change by bringing in Prasidh Krishna in place of Akash Deep, who has been ruled out with a stiff back. Bumrah, though, now will carry the dual responsibility of leading the team as well as the bowling attack.
Poor Performance Forces Rohit to Opt Out
After missing the first Test due to personal reasons, Sharma was back at the helm, leading in the next three matches. But the skipper didn’t look in good touch, delivering disappointing performances in each of the three Tests.
He has mustered only 31 runs across five innings while averaging 6.20. If that wasn’t enough, his poor captaincy against New Zealand at home and in this series has also made matters all the more worse.
