Bizarre twist as Indian captain ‘opts out’ of SCG Test after coach’s cagey presser

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly pulled the plug on taking part in the SCG Test in a bizarre end to the selection drama.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly “opted out” of the SCG Test in a bizarre end to the selection drama heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy finale.

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In a tense press conference on Thursday, coach Gautam Gambhir - who had replaced Rohit for the scheduled media event - refused to confirm whether the out-of-form skipper would play in Sydney.

But the Indian Express reported the night before the Test that Rohit would be “rested” for the match, having told his coach and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision not to play.

Rohit has produced the worst batting average by a touring captain in Australia in history (minimum five matches), with the 38-year-old registering scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9. India won the first Test without him, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the side, and has since lost twice and drawn once.

The report stated Shubman Gill would take Rohit’s place, batting at three behind KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Prasidh Krishna to replace the injured Akash Deep (back).

Bumrah is expected to take the captaincy again.

Sharma is reportedly opting out, Bumrah will take over. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

When asked why Sharma wasn’t in attendance on Thursday, Gambhir responded: “Everything is fine with Rohit.

“The head coach is there. That should be fine. That should be good enough.

“We’re going to have a look at the wicket and finalise (the starting XI) tomorrow.”

Pressed on whether Sharma would play the Sydney Test, he continued: “I just said that we’re going to have a look at the wicket and announce a playing 11 tomorrow. The answer remains the same.”

Later on Thursday afternoon, Sharma didn’t feature in the slips cordon as India trained in the SCG outfield, with superstar teammate Virat Kohli occupying first slip in his absence.

Rohit Sharma not fielding in the slips at India training.https://t.co/3PsvlHbQbHpic.twitter.com/S743QnBvwi

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 2, 2025

Australia has taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with India needing nothing less than victory at the SCG to retain the coveted trophy, which has been in their possession for nearly a decade.

Gambhir declared he was “extremely, extremely confident” India could secure victory at the SCG, a venue where Australia hasn’t tasted defeat since 2011.

“We know we’ve got the skill set, we’ve got the individuals, we’ve got everything in that dressing room that can win a Test match here,” Ghambir said.

“Not only here, (but we can) probably go on to do some unbelievable things in future as well. So extremely confident.”

Meanwhile, Ghambir brushed aside questions on explosive reports about tension and fractures within the dressing room, including claims the coach declared he’d “had enough” following last week’s dramatic loss to Australia at the MCG.

It’s a bombshell out of the Indian camp. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“Those are just reports. That’s not the truth,” Gambhir said.

“I don’t think I need to answer to any reports to be honest.

“There were some honest words, that’s all I can say. And honesty is very important. Honesty is extremely important if you want to go on and achieve some great things.”

Speaking in Hindi, he continued: “Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them - any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.”

The fifth Test between Australia and India gets underway at the SCG on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.

Originally published as Bizarre twist as Indian captain ‘opts out’ of SCG Test after coach’s cagey presser