The decision to rest Rohit Sharma was taken by the player himself and the coach.© PTI
Reports of the possible omission of Indian captain Rohit Sharma from the playing XI had become a hot topic of debate ahead of the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. These reports proved to be true on Friday when vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah walked out for a toss at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). While speaking to former India head coach Ravi Shastri at the toss, Bumrah insisted that Rohit had “chosen to rest”, despite some reports suggesting that the out-of-form batsman may have been “dropped” from the XI.
“It is clear that our captain has shown leadership by opting for rest in this match,” Bumrah said at the toss.
Rohit met with head coach Gautam Gambhir and Indian selection think tank chairman Ajit Agarkar. According to a report in the Indian Express, the decision to leave Rohit out of the XI was taken by the player and head coach after the meeting with Agarkar.
“Regarding Rohit Sharma not playing in Sydney, it appears the player and head coach Gautam Gambhir have made a decision after meeting chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. With the series on the line, the Rohit's battle with the selection is at stake.” bat – he has scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 & 9 – showed no signs of letting up and his low confidence reflected on the field in his captaincy, the decision to rest/drop is not a point of debate,” it said report.
Rohit's worrying form in the series was not the only factor behind his omission as the player had also come under the scanner for his leadership. India slumped to a shock 0-3 defeat at home against New Zealand and now trail Australia 1-2 in the ongoing series.
The report also added that Rohit is no longer in the selectors' plans, as far as the Test lineup is concerned.
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