Struggling for runs in the longest format of the game lately, India skipper Rohit Sharma decided to step aside from the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month.

Rohit was all over the place in the tour Down Under, managing just 31 runs in five innings at an abysmal average of 6.20 -- the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil.

Speculations over his Test future gained momentum after India lost the Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Rumours are rife that the Melbourne Test may have been Rohit’s last for India, considering that the 37-year-old is unlikely to be in the scheme of things for India’s next WTC cycle, which begins with the tour of England later this year.

Rohit Sharma called time on his T20I career after leading India to the T20 World Cup triumph last June, and Suryakumar Yadav took over the reins a month later. Jasprit Bumrah led India in Rohit’s absence in the two Test matches during BGT.

With growing speculations on his future, a report published in TOI claims that Rohit has been asked by the BCCI officials and selectors to communicate his “future plans” after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy 2025.

The selectors are reportedly looking to find a new regular captain in ODIs and Tests, irrespective of India’s performance in the showpiece tournament.

“The selectors and people in the board had this discussion with Rohit around the time of the last selection meeting. He has been told that he needs to decide how he wants to plan his future after the Champions Trophy,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The team management has certain plans going into the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and the ODI World Cup. They want to ensure everyone is on the same page for a smoother transition.”

According to the report, no such message has been sent to senior batter Virat Kohli as the selectors are “willing to wait a bit more on his Test form” and there are no concerns regarding his ODI “prowess”.

As far as India’s next Test captain is concerned, the source said that selectors may not pick Bumrah due to fitness issues and could look at young players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Yashashvi Jaiswal.

“Bumrah’s chances of a long Test series or completing a full season will always be in doubt. The selectors may want a more stable option. Gill has been seen as a captaincy prospect but his returns in Test cricket have been average. Rishabh Pant could also be a strong candidate and maybe someone like Yashashvi Jaiswal can be groomed for the role,” the source said.

(With TOI Inputs)