Border Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma dropped for the Sydney Test match? Who will be India captain?

India captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly made the surprising decision to drop himself from the Playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. This development comes ahead of the crucial Test match, which is set to begin on Friday, January 3, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). In Rohit’s absence, vice-captain and star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will take over the leadership duties for the series decider, marking a significant shift in responsibility as India seeks to level the series at 2-2.

Rohit Sharma, who has faced criticism for his form in the series, did not attend the pre-match press conference, which was instead addressed by head coach Gautam Gambhir. This move has raised further questions about Rohit's current role and his future with the team. His absence from the leadership group has led to speculation about potential changes in the team's structure moving forward.

With Rohit sidelined, KL Rahul, who has been moved around the batting order throughout the series, will return to his familiar role as an opening batter. He will partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has impressed in the series so far. Rahul has shown consistency in the opening slot, and with Jaiswal alongside him, the pair will be expected to provide India with a solid foundation at the top of the order in this crucial final Test. The change in leadership and batting order signals India's determination to make a strong statement in the series finale.

According to The Indian Express, Shubman Gill, who was dropped for the fourth Test due to a string of poor performances, will be given another chance in the playing XI. This opportunity comes after senior batter Rohit Sharma decided to step back from his inclusion in the team. The report also highlighted some concerning signs regarding Rohit's preparation ahead of the crucial fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Rohit reportedly did not participate actively in the net and training sessions a day before the match. Furthermore, he was among the last to take part in the batting drills on Thursday, January 2, raising questions about his current fitness and form.

Given his struggles with the bat in the ongoing series, this decision to step aside could be a significant moment for Rohit, who has faced mounting criticism. The inclusion of Gill in his place suggests the team management is looking to bring in fresh energy and find the right combination to challenge Australia in the series finale. As India prepares for the all-important Test, the changes in both personnel and leadership will likely play a key role in shaping the team's performance and mindset.

Predicted India Playing 11 for the Sydney Test

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.