Rohit Sharma not included in Playing XI

January 03, 2025 04:45

Jasprit Bumrah comes out for the toss along with Australian captain Pat Cummins.

Bumrah and India have won the toss and opted to bat in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday.

Rohit Sharma has not been included into the Playing XI, making way for Shubman Gill to return into the fold.

Contrary to reports, Rishabh Pant keeps his place in the team and Prasidh Krishna comes in for the injured Akash Deep.

Australia have the lone change in Beau Webster coming in for the dropped Mitch Marsh.

The pitch has a lot of grass, making batting tough and with the overcast conditions, there will be lots of help for the bowlers. The first hour will be crucial for both teams.

Playing XIs: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah(c), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India:

Welcome to the live updates of the fifth and final Test between Australia and India in Sydney on Friday.

India go into the fifth and final Test in Sydney amid off-field controversy and high drama.

Battered by extra bounce and seam movement along with scathing criticism of his leadership, India skipper Rohit Sharma's career as a Test cricketer seems headed for a dispiriting climax amid swirling speculation that his place is not confirmed for the final Test against Australia starting in Sydney on Friday.

Amid growing speculation and controversy surrounding the Indian cricket team in Australia, multiple reports indicate that Captain Rohit Sharma will be 'rested' for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

The crucial fixture, starting Friday in Sydney, will see ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah lead the side as India aims to level the series 2-2 and retain the prestigious trophy.

While Gambhir didn't spell out the playing eleven, there were enough indications that India might bring back Shubman Gill at number three.

"Indian cricket's transition is in safe hands as long as there are honest people in the dressing room. Only criteria to be in that dressing room is performance," Gambhir said at the pre-match press conference.

Trailing 1-2, a win for Australia will seal their place in the WTC final against South Africa at Lord's in England in June.

India, on other hand, not only require a win but also need Sri Lanka to not lose any of their two Tests at home against Pat Cummins' men.

The visitors aren't looking like a team at ease right now especially Rohit, who is caught between a rock and a hard place both as skipper and batter.

He may or may not announce retirement but playing the traditional format after Sydney looks a long shot.

Add to this, the murmurs of dissension in the team that could have a bearing on how the players perform.

The implosion started with Ravichandran Ashwin retiring and going back home midway through the series and Rohit's poor form has certainly made him lose a bit of command.

There are reports that Rishabh Pant's shot selection has invited the wrath of Gambhir, who is now planning a rap on the knuckles by dropping him in favour of Dhruv Jurel.

If Pant is indeed axed from the game, it would be a redux of the time when legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was taught a lesson for his poor shot selection during a 1984 tour of England with a similar omission.

While Rohit's position in eleven isn't clear, India will have to make one change owing to Akash Deep's stiff back that has forced him out.

The coach's favourite Harshit Rana could be in but with his questionable consistency and drop in speed in the second and third spells, Prasidh Krishna can't be ruled out either.

In this backdrop, facing an Australian team with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne back in form isn't an easy proposition.

"I haven't actually noticed as I am in my own bubble," Pat Cummins said when asked about whether he noticed that in the rival camp, another out-of-form batter Virat Kohli has been looking more proactive in the leadership role than the regular skipper.

The Australian team will be handing a debut to all-rounder Beau Webster, who would replace an off-colour Mitchell Marsh who hasn't scored much runs throughout the series.

Cummins will also have Mitchell Starc for company as he has been cleared after back scans.

The pitch, according to Cummims, is seamer-friendly. He said the fast bowlers are "happy with the surface".

Despite the challenging build-up, Gambhir said he is "extremely confident" of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The players will hope to be as confident as they prepare for the fight to keep their World Test Final chances alive.

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Rohit Sharma not included in Playing XI

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