BGT 2024: Rohit Sharma avoids talking to Gambhir on the eve of Sydney Test, seeks comfort in Bumrah - Report

Rohit is likely to be dropped from India's playing XI for the Sydney Test.

Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir | GettyTrailing 1-2 in the series, Team India are facing a must-win situation in the fifth and final Test against Australia at SCG to retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy. Moreover, the visitors need to win in Sydney to have any chances of making it to the upcoming World Test Champions final.

On the eve of the match, India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a press conference, where he refused to confirm struggling captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the playing XI.

Gambhir also emphasized the necessity of "honesty" and "honest people" for a team in transition phase. And if that wasn't enough, reports are now suggesting the growing distance and tension between the coach and designated captain.

According to news agency PTI, Gambhir and Rohit were not on talking terms a day before the Sydney Test, with each individual on the other side of the ground.

"It was around half past one when Gautam Gambhir walked towards the centre strip at the Sydney Cricket Ground with Jasprit Bumrah in tow. A few minutes later, Rohit Sharma also joined the duo in the middle but there was hardly any communication between the head coach and the designated captain," the report stated.

"All present at the SCG witnessed a complete communication breakdown between skipper and the head coach. There were already enough indications but the developments on Thursday made one thing as clear as daylight. Rohit Sharma is no longer in coach Gautam Gambhir’s scheme of things after scoring just one second innings half-century in the eight Tests he has played this season," it added.

Such was his equation with Gambhir that Rohit was more comfortable speaking to his deputy Jasprit Bumrah and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Rohit looked lost on the series-decider eve against Australia. He came out nearly 35 minutes after the main batters and wasn't carrying his kit. For the next 30-odd minutes that he batted in the nets, the 37-year-old was all over the place as he missed straight deliveries, which hit his stumps.

"Once Rohit was done with his training, he along with Bumrah and Agarkar left the nets but Gambhir stayed back. It is learnt that during this meeting after training it was decided that Rohit Sharma would be 'rested', which in Indian cricket parlance means 'dropped by intimation'," the report claimed.

Rohit Sharma has come under scrutiny for his poor batting form in the ongoing tour Down Under. The right-hander has managed just 31 runs across five innings, scoring 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9 at an abysmal average of 6.20 -- the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil.

Rohit missed the series opener in Perth due to paternity leave. In his absence, Bumrah led the Indian team to 295-run victory. However, Australia bounced back and defeated the visitors by 10 wickets and 184 runs in Adelaide and Melbourne respectively to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

(With PTI Inputs)

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 02 Jan, 2025

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