IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma, who has led India in the last three Tests against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series, has reacted to being left out of the fifth Test.
Rohit Sharma, while talking to the broadcaster channel of the match during lunch in the fifth Test, dismissed the speculations of his retirement. He said that he has not retired.
In response to questions related to not playing in the fifth Test, he said that he has neither been given rest nor removed. He has decided to stay away from the match after talking to the selectors and coach.
The fifth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is being played in Sydney but Rohit Sharma is out of this match. Fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah is leading the team.
Rohit Sharma said, “I have not retired. Rather, I have decided to stay out of this Test. It was difficult but it was a wise decision.”
Regarding questions related to retirement, Rohit said, ”I decided to stay out of the match as soon as I reached Sydney.”
He said, ”Runs were not coming from my bat but this doesn’t mean that I will not be able to score runs in the future. I am very impressed with Jasprit Bumrah‘s captaincy. I am not going anywhere. I am not in form, that is why I am not playing in this match. We have seen a lot in cricket, now life changes every minute there. Things will change but we should be realistic.”
Rohit said, ”I have not come from such a far distance to sit out. I have come to win the match. I have to win the match, I have to make this team win. This is the aim. But sometimes you have to priortize what the team needs. What is going to happen if you do not think about the team.”
In fact, after the defeat in the fourth Test against Australia, reports emerged suggesting that after the defeat in the fourth match, Rohit Sharma could be held responsible and ‘punished’.
These reports got further strength when head coach Gautam Gambhir came to the press conference in place of captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday before the match.
Gambhir said, “Everything is fine with Rohit. The head coach is here, that should be enough. After seeing the pitch before the toss, it will be decided whether the captain will be in the playing eleven or not.”
On Rohit Sharma being out of the match, Sunil Gavaskar had commented, “According to me, if India does not qualify for the final of the World Test Championship, then the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma’s last match.”
He had said, “The World Test Championship cycle will start with the England series and the selectors would like someone to be available for the 2027 final. Whether India will reach the final or not is a different matter. Perhaps we have seen Rohit Sharma playing Test cricket for the last time.”
During the commentary of this match, former Indian team coach Ravi Shastri had said that he also agrees with this. He said that after this series, Rohit Sharma can say goodbye to his Test career.
Shastri had said, “This is expected to happen when you are not in rhythm. You are mentally disturbed. You are not able to score runs. I think a captain has shown courage by taking responsibility and deciding to sit on the bench.”
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor had said, “The fact is that a captain of a country does not decide to stay out of the last decisive test of the series. He has definitely been removed. I don’t know why they don’t say directly that he has been removed.”
He had said, “This does not mean that he has been removed forever. This means that he is not able to play this test match due to poor form. This is a professional game and this is what has happened.”
