Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant described India captain Rohit Sharma‘s absence from the fifth Australia Test as an “emotional” decision. Former India coach Ravi Shastri speculated that the skipper might end his Test career.
The 37-year-old opener Rohit has struggled throughout the series. His absence from India’s pre-match press conference hinted at his potential omission.
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Coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media on Thursday but didn’t offer explicit support for Rohit. India trailed 2-1 in the series going into the final Test.
At the toss, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah stated that Rohit had “opted to rest” for the team’s benefit.
“It was definitely an emotional decision because he’s been captain for a long time,” Pant said after a first day of play.
Pant acknowledged Rohit’s long-standing leadership role within the team. He also indicated that the decision regarding Rohit’s omission was a management call.
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“We see him as a leader of the team but there’s some decisions that you are not involved in. It is a management call and I was not part of that conversation.”
Shastri suggested that Rohit might have initiated the decision to step down, hinting at a potential end to his 67-Test career.
“It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, ‘I’m prepared to take the bench in this game’,” Shastri said while commentating on Fox Sports.
“If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test.
“It’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it’s time to build.
“Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything.”
Rohit retired from T20 internationals last year after winning the World Cup but hasn’t yet retired from ODIs.
He missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child. He has not scored more than 10 runs in any of his five innings since returning.
This poor form follows a similarly disappointing performance during India’s 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand in October-November.
“Our captain has shown his leadership, he’s opted to rest in this game,” Bumrah said at the toss.
“So that shows there’s a lot of unity in our team, there’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the team’s best interest, we are looking to do that.”
If Rohit retires from Tests, it would be the second major Indian retirement of the tour. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin returned home after the third Test at the Gabba.
Ashwin’s non-selection for the Brisbane Test seemed to be the final factor in the 38-year-old’s decision.
