Bumrah praises Indian Test captain; Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reacts to Rohit Sharma missing out on the Sydney Test, saying that it was right decision for the team
Our Bureau
Sydney
Rohit Sharma’s return to ongoing BGT series has been marked by his lack of form and struggle to put runs across his name. The seasoned opener has just 31 runs from five innings, with an average of 6.20 in the ongoing series against Australia. Rohit has faced criticism over his Test batting since the Bangladesh series. He amassed only 42 runs in two Test matches while averaging just 10.50.
On Friday, Rohit Sharma decided to sit out the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah on Friday said that Rohit Sharma has shown leadership by opting to rest at the fifth and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney. Speaking at the toss, Bumrah said that Rohit opting to rest showed that there’s a lot of unity in the Indian squad. He added that there was “no selfishness” from the Indian batter. The talisman India pacer further added that whatever happens, it’s in the team’s best interest.
“Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there’s a lot of unity in this team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the teams best interest we are looking to do that. Two changes, Rohit has opted to rest and Akash Deep is injured so Prasidh comes in,” Bumrah was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.
Despite moments of brilliance from both sides, India’s batting remains a concern heading into the final game. With senior players out of form, the responsibility has fallen on the youngsters to help the team reach competitive scores throughout the series.
Taking to X, Manjrekar said that it was “typical” of Rohit Sharma for doing the right thing. He added that there was no need for the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. “So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss,” Manjrekar wrote on X.
But ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 at the Sydney Cricket Ground between Australia and India, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his thoughts on skipper Rohit Sharma’s retirement after the completion of the ongoing series. “In my personal opinion, Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and I am sure he has the ability to turn this around. This is the last and crucial test match of the series, and experience should come in handy. Whatever decisions required to be made should come out after the series,” Irfan Pathan wrote in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, there was some confusion about if Rohit Sharma was expected to be rested for the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney, with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead in the last match of the BGT series. In the morning, head coach Gautam Gambhir mentioned that the playing eleven would be announced before the game, after assessing the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Every individual knows which areas they need to work on. When you play for your country, you want to give your best. I think the discussions between a player and a coach should remain private and restricted to the dressing room,” Gambhir had said at the pre-match press conference.
Asked whether Rohit will be part of the playing eleven for the Sydney Test, given that the 37-year-old didn’t attend the press conference, Gambhir had reassured that everything is fine with the captain. “Everything is fine with Rohit and we will announce the playing XI tomorrow after evaluating the pitch. We have had one main conversation in our dressing room – how we will win the next test, as it is crucial for us,” Gambhir noted.
