Rohit Sharma’s Absence Sparks Speculation as Jasprit Bumrah Leads India in Final Test Against Australia

Rishabh Pant addressed Rohit Sharma’s absence in the fifth Test, stating, “He is our captain, and naturally, there’s some emotion involved. The decision was made by the management, and I wasn’t part of that discussion, so I can’t provide further details.”

With Rohit unavailable, Jasprit Bumrah took on the captaincy for the Sydney Test. Bumrah, who had already led India to victory in the series opener in Perth, explained during the toss that Rohit had opted to take a break for this match.

Speaking about Bumrah’s leadership, Pant said, “His key message is to stay positive and focus on the present rather than dwelling on past performances. He encourages everyone to give their best on the field, which is what you expect from a captain.”

Shubman Gill, who missed the Boxing Day Test, returned to the playing XI for the final Test against Australia, replacing Rohit Sharma. Rohit has struggled throughout the tour, scoring only 31 runs across three matches.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri speculated that Rohit, at 37 years old, might be considering retirement from Test cricket. Rohit’s struggles during the series and his absence from India’s pre-match press conference raised questions about his future in the team.

On Thursday, Coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media but refrained from directly supporting Rohit. With India trailing 2-1 in the series before the final Test, Bumrah mentioned during the toss that Rohit’s decision to rest was made in the team’s best interest.

“It’s a bold move for a captain to step back and say, ‘I’m willing to sit out for this game.’ If there were a home season ahead, he might have continued, but I think he could decide to retire after this Test. India has talented young players ready to step up, and it’s time to start building for the future. These are tough decisions, but there’s a right time for everything,” Shastri remarked.