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Rohit Sharma looks to have played his last Test for India at the MCG as Virat Kohli’s future continues to be a doubt.
Jasprit Bumrah is leading in Rohit Sharma (R)’s absence in Sydney.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors have reportedly told Rohit Sharma that he’s no longer in their Test plans after the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This could mean that if India manage to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship Final, Jasprit Bumrah might lead the team out to face South Africa at Lord’s.
Conjecture around Rohit’s Test future has been rife since he was absent from India’s squad for the final Test in Sydney, which began on Friday. According to The Indian Express, the decision to leave Rohit out was taken after a meeting between the skipper, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar.
The report also said similar discussions ‘on the way forward’ will be held with Virat Kohli after the Syndey Test, whereas Ravindra Jadeja — who retired with Kohli and Rohit from T20Is last year — has his future secured for now, as his experience is seen valuable.
Rohit and Kohli have struggled to put up big scores in Australia. While Kohli is yet to record a half-century since his unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth, Rohit had a best score of 10 in five innings after he returned to the team in Adelaide.
There have been several reports citing different angles to Rohit’s absence from the team, some claiming he was rested while others saying the management dropped him. His stand-by, Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile went with the former explanation.
“Obviously, our captain has shown his leadership as well. He’s opted to rest in this game. So that shows that there’s a lot of unity in our team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the team’s best interest, we’re looking to do that,” Bumrah said at the toss.
The report added that it seems unlikely that Rohit will return after Sydney because the selection committee was ‘unanimous’ in looking beyond him. It said discussions about the 2025 Champions Trophy, to be played in the 50-over format, will happen when the team returns home.
All in all, it seems like the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last week was Rohit’s last appearance in India’s whites
