BGT 2024-25: Rohit Sharma "has chosen to rest" from SCG test, says skipper Jasprit Bumrah

Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill in India’s playing XI for the SCG test.

In a massive decision, India captain Rohit Sharma has “chosen to rest” from the 5th BGT 2024-25 test match in Sydney and was replaced by Shubman Gill in the playing XI. Jasprit Bumrah strode out at the toss with the captain’s blazer on.

India are currently 2-1 down after four tests. They need to win the Sydney test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep themselves in contention of a place in the ICC WTC 2023-25 final.

Yesterday, it had become very much clear that Rohit would not be part of the Sydney test. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was asked whether Rohit would play in Sydney but he denied to say yes.

Rohit was later largely uninvolved in the nets and training. Gambhir had long chats with both Bumrah and Gill, the men replacing Rohit as a skipper and batsman respectively for the last test of this series.

Rohit has shown his leadership as well: Bumrah

Bumrah made an interesting comment at the toss about Rohit’s exclusion from the side. Bumrah said,  “Our captain has shown his leadership as well, he has chosen to rest from this game. It shows the unity within the team.”

Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker of the series, had led India to a famous victory in the first test of the series in Perth.

While Rohit’s omission is a major development, it is not a surprise given he’s been in a terrible form. Rohit has managed just 31 runs across three matches on this tour. He’s been in a disastrous form in test cricket since the home season: In 15 innings of the eight tests against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia, Rohit has scored 164 runs at an average of just 10.93 with only one score of over 30.

This is likely to be the end of Rohit Sharma’s test career as India’s next test series is in England in June 2025 and Rohit will be 38 by that time.

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