India's Rift Certain? Rohit, Gambhir Chose Not To Enjoy Perth Win Despite Credit Card Offer

Rohit Sharma with Indian teammates [Source: AP Photos]

Team India’s horror tour of Australia continued with another dismal outing with the bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday, January 3. The Indian team took field at the iconic venue for the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 1-2 deficit despite having taken an early lead in the series.

Under the spirited leadership of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, the visitors walloped Australia by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium back in November to record their biggest-ever win ‘Down Under’. However, amidst reports of a possible rift among players and the support staff within the Indian team, an Australian-based author and broadcaster recently claimed that Team India players did not celebrate their Perth Test win together.

Broadcaster makes explosive claim about Indian team in AUS

Bharat Sundaresan, an Australian-based cricket author and sports broadcaster, recently claimed that the Indian players did not celebrate their Perth triumph together as a team. Instead, the team members went their own separate ways to rejoice. Without taking anyone’s name, he also added that one of the senior members from the dressing room even offered their credit card to urge the players to celebrate the occasion together.

---

ALSO READ

Rohit Sharma Forced To Opt Out From SCG Test? No Name In Team Sheet Sparks Controversy

---

Sundaresan, who stated the same during the opening day of the SCG Test, made the aforementioned claims on the heels of a reported rift among the Indian players and the team’s support staff that largely stemmed out of Rohit Sharma’s self-exclusion from the playing XI.

Following India’s 295-run win at Perth, regular skipper Rohit Sharma took over his leadership role from Jasprit Bumrah for the next three Tests of the series. As it turned out, Team India crashed to two huge defeats at the Adelaide Oval and at the MCG, and narrowly escaped with a rain-induced draw in Brisbane.

Apart from Sharma’s dismal form as a leader, the legendary Indian opener also managed to haul just 31 runs from five innings of the tour at a miserable average of 6.20.

Nonetheless, Team India took field at the SCG for the series-decider with Bumrah at the helm. On Day 1, the visiting line-up underwent another batting collapse by falling short against Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc.

---

ALSO READ

3 Reasons Why Gambhir’s Call To Replace Rohit Sharma With Gill Is Not A Blunder

---