BGT 2024-25: "Not involved.." Rishabh Pant tight-lipped over Rohit Sharma's exclusion from SCG test

Rohit Sharma managed only 31 runs in three tests in the series.

Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant said that the exclusion of captain Rohit Sharma from the SCG test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy BGT 2024-25 was an “emotional” decision, but the stumper remained tight-lipped over what transpired behind the scenes leading up to the call.

It was evident on Thursday that Rohit would be not be part of the playing XI for the Sydney test. At toss, Jasprit Bumrah, who had led India to a win in the first test in Perth, said that Rohit had “chosen to rest” from the last test of the series.

It was not a surprising decision considering Rohit’s woeful form. In this series, he’s managed only 31 runs in five innings. Since the home season, in eight tests against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia, Rohit averaged only 10.93 with only one score of above 30.

Australia dominated day 1 in Sydney as they bundled out India for 185. Pant top-scored with 40, while Scott Boland took 4/31.

Pant appeared at the post-day press conference, where he was queried about Rohit’s absence. Pant said, as quoted by The Indian Express, “It was an emotional decision. We see him as a leader. There are some decisions where you are not involved. I cannot explain more than that.”

First time I got hit so much in my career: Rishabh Pant

Pant batted for 98 balls, scoring 40 runs with the help of three fours and a six. The left-hander took several blows on his body off the Australian pacers.

He said, “Definitely it is painful, but sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team. First time I got hit so much in my career but sometimes you have to. That was me today not thinking too much.”

After getting bowled out for 185, India struck on the last ball of the day, with none other than Jasprit Bumrah making the dent by having Usman Khawaja caught at second slip to take his series wickets tally to 31.

India, under Bumrah, would be hoping to repeat their performance from the Perth test after posting a sub-200 total.

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