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SPORTS JANUARY 10, 2025 | The Indian Eye 41

ROHIT SHARMA

Rested or dropped? Captain in the hut after

a lot of suspense and drama at Sydney

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

ohit Sharma’s return to ongoing BGT series
has been marked by his lack of form and
Rstruggle 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 Fri-
day 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 Syd-
ney. 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 uni-
ty 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 Rohit has faced criticism over his Test batting since the Bangladesh series. He amassed only 42 runs in two Test matches
Deep is injured so Prasidh comes in,” Bumrah was while averaging just 10.50 (ANI)
quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.
Despite moments of brilliance from both
sides, India’s batting remains a concern heading Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 at the Sydney tam Gambhir mentioned that the playing eleven
into the final game. With senior players out of Cricket Ground between Australia and India, for- would be announced before the game, after assess-
form, the responsibility has fallen on the young- mer all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his thoughts ing the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
sters to help the team reach competitive scores on skipper Rohit Sharma’s retirement after the “Every individual knows which areas they
throughout the series. completion of the ongoing series. “In my personal need to work on. When you play for your country,
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar on Friday opinion, Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase. you want to give your best. I think the discussions
reacted to Rohit Sharma missing out on the Syd- I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done between a player and a coach should remain pri-
ney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against enough for Indian cricket, and I am sure he has the vate and restricted to the dressing room,” Gam-
Australia and said that it was right for the team. ability to turn this around. This is the last and cru- bhir had said at the pre-match press conference.
Taking to X, Manjrekar said that it was “typi- cial test match of the series, and experience should Asked whether Rohit will be part of the playing
cal” of Rohit Sharma for doing the right thing. He come in handy. Whatever decisions required to eleven for the Sydney Test, given that the 37-year-
added that there was no need for the ‘cloak & dag- be made should come out after the series,” Irfan old didn’t attend the press conference, Gambhir
ger’ around the issue. “So typical of Rohit Shar- Pathan wrote in a post on X. had reassured that everything is fine with the cap-
ma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for Earlier in the day, there was some confusion tain. “Everything is fine with Rohit and we will an-
the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & about if Rohit Sharma was expected to be rested nounce the playing XI tomorrow after evaluating
dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about for the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney, the pitch. We have had one main conversation in
at the toss,” Manjrekar wrote on X. with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead in the last match of our dressing room - how we will win the next test,
But ahead of the fifth and final Test of the the BGT series. In the morning, head coach Gau- as it is crucial for us,” Gambhir noted.

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