3 Hints By Gautam Gambhir To Confirm Rohit Sharma Snub From IND Vs AUS 5th Test

Jatin∙ Updated: Jan 2 2025, 12:43 PM

Rohit Sharma may miss the fifth Test in Sydney [Source: AP Photos]Rohit Sharma may miss the fifth Test in Sydney [Source: AP Photos]

The cricketing fraternity is abuzz with whispers that Indian captain Rohit Sharma might not play in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia leads the series 2-1, and India is teetering on the edge of losing the trophy they have held onto for so long.

While there’s no official word yet, the signs are as clear as day that Rohit might be on the bench. Let’s break it down and figure out why Rohit Sharma will not play the fifth Test vs Australia in Sydney:

3. Gill Coming to Bat Ahead of Rohit

Shubman Gill’s return to the nets has stirred the pot. During practice, he came out to bat ahead of Rohit Sharma. That’s not something you see every day. Gill, who was dropped for the fourth Test, looks set to make his way back into the playing XI. And let’s be honest, Rohit’s form isn’t doing him any favours. With only 31 runs in five innings this series, the skipper has been struggling to even get a start.

On the other hand Shubman Gill has shown glimpses of brilliance in the past. He brings fresh legs and a hunger to prove himself, which might be just what the doctor ordered for a team that’s looking a bit jaded. This switch might be the spark India needs to get their act together.

2. Slip Cordon Switcheroo

Here’s where things get even more interesting. Rohit, a regular in India’s slip cordon, was nowhere to be seen during slip-catching practice. Instead, alongside Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul, it was Nitish Reddy, who was seen sharpening his catching skills.

For a player like Rohit, who’s always in the thick of things when it comes to slip fielding, this was a glaring absence. This little shuffle in the slip cordon could very well be a sign that the management is planning to go without Rohit for this game.

1. Gambhir Takes the Mic

Now, this one really set tongues wagging. It’s tradition for the captain to address the media on the eve of a Test match, but instead of Rohit, it was head coach Gautam Gambhir who turned up at the pre-match press conference. When asked about Rohit’s absence, Gambhir kept it cryptic, saying, "Everything is fine."

If everything were fine, it would be the skipper speaking. When pressed about Rohit’s inclusion in the playing XI, Gambhir sidestepped the question, saying they’d look at the conditions and reveal the lineup on the ahead of the game. It was the kind of non-answer that only added fuel to the fire.