Published By: Sanchari Das

BGT 24/25: Is Rohit Sharma Facing His First Exclusion in Years?

India must win the fifth Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Rohit Sharma's place in the XI hangs in the balance amid mounting pressure and reports of potential changes

Rohit Sharma, a stalwart of Indian cricket, is the centre of speculation ahead of the fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Reports suggest that the Indian captain may be excluded from the playing XI due to a dip in form. While the decision isn't official yet, discussions surrounding it have already sparked debates among fans and experts. Let's explore the ongoing situation and revisit a previous instance when Rohit faced exclusion.

Sydney Test: Speculations mount

Head coach Gautam Gambhir declined to confirm Rohit's inclusion in the playing XI ahead of the Sydney Test. India trails 2-1 in the five-match series and needs a victory to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Rohit managing only 31 runs across three matches and averaging 6.2, questions about his place in the team have grown louder.

In a pre-match press conference, Gambhir stated that the final XI would be announced only after assessing the pitch. However, reports indicate that Rohit has agreed with Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to step aside for the match, allowing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead in Rohit's absence.

Hints from the team management

Subtle signs during training further fuelled the rumours. Gambhir engaged in lengthy discussions with Bumrah while the rest of the team practised. Rohit briefly appeared at the nets, batting against side-arm bowlers, and was absent from routine slip-catching drills. Such developments hinted at a possible reshuffle in the playing XI, with reports suggesting a fresh approach to salvage the series.

A recap of Rohit's struggles

Rohit's form has been underwhelming throughout the series. After missing the first Test for personal reasons, he returned to lead in Adelaide but failed to make an impact. Adding to the pressure, his captaincy has faced scrutiny following back-to-back defeats to Australia after a dominant win under Bumrah's leadership in the first Test.

With this match being India's final red-ball encounter in the current World Test Championship cycle, the decision regarding Rohit's inclusion carries significant weight.

When Rohit was previously dropped

This isn't the first time Rohit's place in the team has been questioned. During the 2018 Test series in South Africa, he was dropped after inconsistent performances. Batting at No. 5, he struggled to deliver, scoring 10 and 47 in the first two matches. The third Test in Johannesburg saw him excluded from the playing XI.

That setback, however, became a turning point in Rohit's career.

Reinvention as an opener in 2019

Following his exclusion in 2018, Rohit returned stronger. In 2019, he was promoted to open the innings during the home series against South Africa. Critics doubted the move, but Rohit silenced them with a stellar debut as an opener, smashing 176 runs in the first innings and another century in the second. This performance began a successful new role for the 'Hitman.'

What lies ahead for Rohit Sharma?

As speculations swirl around his exclusion, the focus remains on how India will approach the crucial Sydney Test. Should the reports prove accurate, Rohit's absence will mark a significant moment in his Test career. However, his history of comebacks suggests that he is more than capable of bouncing back stronger.

Whether he plays in Sydney or not, Rohit's journey reminds us of the resilience needed to thrive in international cricket. As fans await clarity, one thing is sure: the 'Hitman' still has plenty to offer Indian cricket.