Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team’s captain, is not playing the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a decision that has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. The match, which began at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday morning ( January 3) is crucial for India as they trail 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Reasons for Rohit Sharma’s absence

The primary reason for Rohit’s absence is his ongoing struggle with form. Throughout the series, he has managed to score only 31 runs across five innings, averaging a mere 6.20. His disappointing performance has put him under significant pressure, leading to speculation about his place in the team. Given these circumstances, Rohit has opted to rest for this match, a decision that was confirmed by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah during the toss.

Bumrah emphasized that Rohit’s choice to sit out reflects a commitment to the team’s overall well-being. “Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game,” Bumrah stated. “It shows there’s a lot of unity in this team. There’s no selfishness; we’re focused on what’s best for the team.” This statement underscores the team’s collective approach amid individual struggles.

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After winning the toss and opting to bat, Bumrah also confirmed about Akash Deep missing the game due to injury.

“We are looking to bat first. We have played some good cricket. The last match was exciting. The grass doesn’t look spicy. We always have learnt to digest defeats,” he added. “We have two changes. Rohit has opted out and Prasidh comes in for the injured Akash Deep.”

Rohit’s decision to step back is particularly noteworthy as it marks him as the first Indian captain to voluntarily drop himself from a Test match due to poor form. This unprecedented move highlights the pressures faced by senior players in high-stakes situations. Traditionally, captains have been reluctant to step aside, often playing through slumps in form.

AUS vs IND 5th Test: Playing XI of both teams

Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

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