Gautam Gambhir punishes Rohit Sharma; to be dropped from Sydney Test after dressing room leaks

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about captain Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Gautam Gambhir did not rule out the possibility of Rohit sitting out the series-decider, scheduled to commence on Friday, January 3.

India is trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following a 184-run loss in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Rohit Sharma has come under scrutiny after repeated failures. The 37-year-old batter missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his child, where Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian team to victory.

Rohit was shuffled in the batting order but has yet to score more than 10 runs in an innings this series. He has scored just 31 runs in five innings this series (3, 6, 10, 3, and 9) at an average of 6.20, the lowest by a touring captain in Australia. Rohit recorded 10 single-digit scores in 15 Test innings in 2024.

Rohit Sharma to Be Dropped from Playing XI? - Gautam Gambhir Responds

Gautam Gambhir addressed the pre-match press conference instead of skipper Rohit Sharma in a last-minute change. Amid growing calls to drop the out-of-form captain, Gambhir did not confirm whether Rohit would play, stating that the final decision on the playing XI would be made before the toss.

"We will take the Playing XI call at the toss after looking at the pitch tomorrow," Gambhir said.

Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir Engage in Long Chat as Team Warms Up at SCG

Signs suggest that Rohit Sharma may be dropped due to his poor form, with Jasprit Bumrah likely to take over as skipper. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah was seen in extended discussions with Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, even as the rest of the team continued warming up at the SCG.

"The long chat between Jasprit Bumrah and coach Gautam Gambhir still underway as rest of the team warms up at the SCG," Sahil Malhotra tweeted.

The long chat between Jasprit Bumrah and coach Gautam Gambhir still underway as rest of the team warms up at the SCG. pic.twitter.com/GDHo2qsdwO

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) January 2, 2025

Rohit Sharma's Absence from India Slip Cordon in Practice Session at SCG

Lastly, in the practice session, Rohit was notably absent from the slip cordon, with Virat Kohli taking his usual position at first slip. Other players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rishabh Pant, were also involved in the drill.

Rohit was seen shadow-practicing his drive and kicking a football around with teammates. Bharat Sundaresan pointed out the absence of Rohit in the slip cordon, raising questions about his status for the upcoming Test.

"Wow. Gautam Gambhir doesn’t confirm if Rohit Sharma is playing tomorrow when asked directly if the captain’s playing. While Rohit is at warm ups shadow-practicing his drive while kicking the football around with his teammates #AusvInd," Bharat Sundaresan wrote.

"Rohit Sharma not part of the potentially new-look slip cordon. With Kohli at first, KL at second and Reddy at third. While Shubman Gill was taking catches at slip for a spinner. The massive intrigue of Indian cricket #AusvInd," he added.

Wow. Gautam Gambhir doesn’t confirm if Rohit Sharma is playing tomorrow when asked directly if the captain’s playing. While Rohit is at warm ups shadow-practicing his drive while kicking the football around with his teammates #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/qhogr69p0b

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025

Rohit Sharma not part of the potentially new-look slip cordon. With Kohli at first, KL at second and Reddy at third. While Shubman Gill was taking catches at slip for a spinner. The massive intrigue of Indian cricket #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/aynUip01Om

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Australia has made changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final Test against India. Mitchell Marsh has been dropped and replaced by Beau Webster, who will make his debut in Sydney. Mitchell Starc has been declared fit and will feature in the match.

Also read: Irfan Pathan issues blunt statement after Gautam Gambhir’s explosive dressing room comments get leaked