Rumours explode over SCG Test ‘retirement’, backroom move

Reports of a secret backroom move are running wild after the cricket world was rocked by news surrounding Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s SCG Test withdrawal has taken several dramatic turns after it was first reported he will not play the fifth Border Gavaskar Trophy Test.

Reports first emerged on Thursday Sharma had been “rested” for the blockbuster series decider after a miserable series where his pitiful batting has broken unwanted records.

However, the script flipped again hours later with reports emerging it was Rohit himself that made the decision to stand down.

The Indian Express reported the night before the Test that Rohit told his coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision not to play following a final training session at the SCG ahead of the fifth Test, which begins on Friday morning.

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Another rumour exploded overnight with a report from Indian media that Gambhir was pressured into selecting Rohit for the New Year’s Test.

The Press Trust of India reported on Thursday night the decision was actually made by Gambhir.

The outlet reports Gambhir also faced pressure from senior Indian cricket powerbrokers to give Rohit one final chance.

According to the PTI, Gambhir was approached by “an influential cricket administrator, who commands a lot of respect in the BCCI” to stick with Rohit.

Gambhir is reported to have rejected the request with his top priority being the result in Sydney that could also keep the team’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final alive.

Rohit’s numbers were simply too hard to ignore.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Picture: Michael Klein.

The star batsman 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, foxsports.com.au reports.

The PTI also reports there were frosty scenes at the SCG on Thursday when Gambhir and Rohit ignored each other during the team’s net session.

However, the pair were seen together alongside Jasprit Bumrah as they inspected the pitch on Thursday.

The PTI, however, reports there was hardly any communication between the head coach and the designated captain.

It explains why it was Gambhir replaced Rohit for the scheduled media event without any explanation given.

The former Indian batsman refused to confirm if Rohit would play in the series finale.

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

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

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 2, 2025

Bumrah is expected to take the captaincy again — as he did in Perth where India took a 1-0 series lead.

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.

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.

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

“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,” Gambhir 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.

“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 news of Sharma’s absence from the team has prompted retirement speculation surrounding the 37-year-old.

Rohit Sharma has been a walking wicket. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

“He’ll take a call on his career but I won’t be shocked at all (if Sharma retires) because he’s not getting younger,” Shastri said on ICC Review.

“There are other young players in the wings, there’s Shubman Gill, a player of his quality averaging over 40 in the year 2024 and not playing. It tricks your brain as to what is he doing sitting on the bench and warming it. So I won’t be surprised but it’s his call.”

Indian Test great Irfan Pathan also said Rohit had earned the right to make the call without being forced to walk the plank.

“In my personal opinion, Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase,” he posted on X.

“I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and I am sure he has the ability to turn this around.

“This is the last and a crucial test match of the series, and experience should come in handy. Whatever decisions required to be made should come out after the series.”

Indian cricket great Sanjay Manjrekar, however, earlier said the decision needed to have been taken out of Rohit’s hands.

“I just want to keep reminding everyone that Rohit Sharma is not quite in the league of Virat Kohli, Manjrekar said on a video posted in ESPN Cricinfo.

“Kohli is an Indian batting great. Has got a much greater body of work. Rohit is more a white-ball batting great. He (Rohit) has had a few great tours and series as a batter mostly at home.

“Rohit Sharma’s problems are there for everyone to see. Now one has to just imagine whether there is any hope at all one can expect a final flourish in the last Test (SCG).

“It shouldn’t be left to the individual. I really think that job is a selectors job.

“And he has to only think of Indian cricket and see whether there is any sense in having Rohit Sharma for the next Test match if you believe there is something left there, then they continue in the same fashion.