'An Emotional Decision': Rishabh Pant Gets Teary-Eyed Talking About Rohit Sharma’s Big Call

Rishabh Pant opened up on Rohit Sharma's decision [Source: @jod_insane, @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant didn’t hold back when talking about Rohit Sharma’s decision to step aside for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. Calling it an 'emotional decision', Pant said the move showed Rohit’s true leadership.

AUS vs IND: Rishabh Pant Reflects on Rohit Sharma’s Emotional Decision

"Definitely it was an emotional decision because he has been captain for a long time. We see him as a leader of the team. There are some decisions you are not involved in. It was the management’s call. I was not a part of that conversation so I cannot explain more than that," Pant said after Day 1’s play.

Rohit shocked fans and pundits alike when he chose to rest himself and hand over the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah. At the toss, Bumrah confirmed that the decision was Rohit’s alone. "Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game," Bumrah remarked.

The move raised eyebrows, but Rishabh Pant’s comments underlined the respect Rohit commands within the team.

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AUS vs IND: India’s Batting Struggles Continue

While Rohit’s decision grabbed headlines, India’s batting collapse on Day 1 has added to their woes. Choosing to bat under overcast skies, the visitors crumbled to 185 all out, undone by some relentless Australian bowling. Scott Boland (4/31), Mitchell Starc (3/49), and Pat Cummins (2/37) kept the Indian batters on a tight leash, offering no room for error.

Pant was the lone warrior, top-scoring with a gritty 40 off 98 balls. Battling his natural instincts, he dug in, taking blows to his body to keep the innings afloat. It was a gutsy knock, but the lack of support from the other end meant India couldn’t post a competitive total.

Australia in the Driver’s Seat

Australia ended the day at 9/1, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing the out-of-form Usman Khawaja early. Teenage sensation Sam Konstas, unbeaten on 7, showed his confidence with a first-ball boundary off Bumrah. The hosts, already leading the series 2-1, are in control, and India will need something special to claw their way back into the game.

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