It was one of those days in Indian cricket. Conflicting reports, different updates from different sources, and fans getting their team news from journalists, wondering whether it’s true or not.
On the eve of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), reports emerged of Rohit Sharma’s possible omission from the Indian team soon after dressing room conversations were leaked following their loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Coach Gautam Gambhir wouldn’t confirm Rohit’s participation at the press conference, bizarrely claiming “we are going to have a look at the wicket and probably announce our playing XI tomorrow” when asked whether the captain will be in the XI.
Earlier, there were whispers that Rishabh Pant would be the player dropped, adding further uncertainty around the makeup of the team. After all the deliberation and speculation, it was finally confirmed that captain Rohit would not lineup at the SCG.
How will India fare given Rohit Sharma will not feature at the SCG?
Such a leadup is not ideal preparation for a must-win Test. However, Rohit’s absence gives India the kind of edge not seen since Perth. Such a statement seems harsh on Rohit, who has a fine CV as a white-ball captain. However, red-ball captaincy is an art he has not mastered, and Australia reaped the rewards.
Rohit seems afraid of conceding boundaries, implementing T20-like tactics in Test cricket. He is very quick to go on the defensive, and does not stick to plans long enough, getting sucked into following the ball and often allowing opposition players to get away.
Simon Katich was particularly critical during the Gabba Test where Travis Head hit 152. In the 60th over, Head ramped a Mohammed Siraj delivery over slip down to third man, where India had a fielder the over before. That fielder had been removed before the next over began and then was reinstated following the shot.
“That is unbelievable from Mohammed Siraj because the over before, he had a man right in that spot. And he’s run in, and bowled what they were planning without the fielder there. That is dumb. Dumb cricket,” said Katich on commentary for Channel 7.
“Now he’s [Rohit] going to put the fielder back there right now. Horse has bolted, buddy.”
The Gabba example has its place among others in this series. On the second day of the Adelaide Test, India took the majority of their wickets against the run of play as Rohit allowed the game to drift. The MCG Test was a similar story, with open spaces even for Australia’s lower order to keep things ticking. In the end, the runs Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland scored were crucial to the result.
Truth to be told, the warning signs were there during India’s hastening 3-0 home loss to New Zealand in October and November. Out of the 2,295 balls they faced, the Black Caps hit a single or two 546 times (23.79% of the deliveries). Even on helpful, spinning surfaces in Pune and Mumbai, featuring an attack of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Rohit opted for caution against a nation that had not won a Test in India since 1988 before their shock triumph in 2024.
It will be fascinating to see how India operate at the SCG. They were on fire in Perth, not even giving the Australians the chance to breathe in the ultimate show of aggression and intent. They have certainly not had that same intensity in the next three Tests, allowing the hosts to get away to first innings scores of 337, 445 and 474.
Sure, not all is Rohit’s fault, especially considering Jasprit Bumrah has required better support from the other end at times. However, the defensive tactics have left a lot to be desired.
Rohit’s batting doesn’t warrant selection
In addition to his captaincy, Rohit the batsman has simply not got going. He is a shadow of the player that shone brightly in 2021 (906 runs at 47.68) including 432 runs at 48 in some difficult batting conditions in England where he displayed great technique and temperament.
In 2024, the captain managed just 619 runs at 24.76, including 31 runs in six innings at 6.2 in Australia. Rohit’s return to the side meant the promising Dhruv Jurel had to make way. After struggling at number six in Adelaide and Brisbane, Rohit moved back to opener, displacing KL Rahul, who had arguably been India’s best batsman in the opening three Tests. Also, Shubman Gill, who looked promising in the pink-ball Test, was dropped at the MCG.
That being said, it’s not only Rohit’s batting in the spotlight. Virat Kohli’s form has been of huge concern since 2020, with dismissals outside the offstump a formality. His years of strong performances in Tests have handed him a very long rope, but he won’t be immune to being dropped if he is out cheaply in the channel once again.
The SCG Test has an interesting feel to it. Australia made their own big call in dropping Mitchell Marsh for debutant Beau Webster, so there is the argument both teams are playing their best possible XIs.
How India fare after three underwhelming Tests will make for interesting viewing. They not only must win to salvage this BGT series, but keep their hopes alive of joining South Africa at this year’s World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s.
Strap in, this should be fun.
