Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was not only benched but omitted entirely from the 15-man team sheet for the series-deciding fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about his future in international cricket.
Rohit’s exclusion follows a string of underwhelming performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed just 31 runs in five innings. For the first time in his career, the 37-year-old captain found himself sidelined mid-series across any format.
Adding to the drama, Rohit’s absence from the official team sheet has left fans and cricketing pundits puzzled, with some wondering if this signals his retirement. This speculation gained traction after Ravichandran Ashwin‘s surprise decision to retire from international cricket after the third Test in Brisbane.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who won the toss and chose to bat, described Rohit’s absence as a mutual decision. “Our skipper has opted to rest. It shows the unity we have,” Bumrah remarked. However, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar voiced skepticism about the term “rested.”
“The official word is that he has ‘opted to rest.’ Will fans accept that? This is the same player who missed the first Test and didn’t play domestic cricket before the New Zealand series. If anyone needs rest, it’s Bumrah, who’s been leading tirelessly,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
Rohit joined the team midway through the series after paternity leave. His sudden exclusion has left fans divided, with some supporting his break while others questioning its timing. As India battles to clinch the series in Sydney, the captain’s absence and the mysteries surrounding it continue to dominate headlines.
Will Rohit Sharma follow Ashwin’s footsteps into retirement, or is this merely a temporary pause? Cricket enthusiasts will be watching closely as the drama unfolds Down Under.
