"I don’t want him..."- Irfan Pathan on Rohit Sharma

Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan has opened up on the reports suggesting that Rohit Sharma will be dropped from the Playing XI for the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Pathan asked Rohit to show some fight in this tough phase and backed his ability to turn things around. He also feels that the decision on Rohit's future can be taken after the ongoing Test series.

Also read: Virat Kohli brutally hammered; shred to pieces for Sam Konstas' episode in Melbourne

Irfan Pathan backs Rohit Sharma

Irfan Pathan took to social media to voice his concerns regarding India's Playing XI for the final Test match against Australia in Sydney. While there have been reports of Rohit Sharma getting dropped, Pathan still backed the Indian captain to turn it around.

The former India allrounder feels that the upcoming Test match is a crucial match for the team and Rohit can be handy given his huge amount of experience. According to him, Rohit has done enough for Indian cricket and deserves one more opportunity here.

"In my personal opinion, Rohit Sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and I am sure he has the ability to turn this around," Pathan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"This is the last and a crucial test match of the series, and experience should come in handy. Whatever decisions required to be made should come out after the series," he added.

In my personal opinion, Rohit sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and i am sure he has the ability to turn this around.This is the last and a crucial test match of the series, and expirence should come…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 2, 2025

There have been talks of Rohit Sharma's retirement from all the corners after the batter's poor show with the bat this series. The 38-year-old is having a horror series with the bat so far which has reflected on his captaincy as well.

High criticism of Rohit Sharma

Former cricketers like MSK Prasad and Aakash Chopra criticized Rohit for putting his interests over the team. Rohit didn't play the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child. India went on to win the match under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah.

Rohit came back for the second Test in Adelaide but batted at No. 6 to accommodate an in-form opener KL Rahul at the top. Rahul had an excellent match with the bat in Perth and played a key role in India's win.

Rohit batted at No. 6 in the third Test in Brisbane as well. But he decided to open the batting again in Melbourne, thus pushing KL Rahul to the No. 3 spot. Rahul didn't have a good match at MCG and registered two low scores.

Rohit Sharma's disappointing returns

Rohit Sharma has scored just 31 runs across five Test innings so far at an average of 6.20. He hasn't looked confident at the crease and hasn't been able to stay for longer periods. He has also been dismissed while trying to play release shots which have looked ugly at times.

In the last innings in Melbourne, Rohit looked solid and determined in his short stay. However, he was out while trying to play a rash shot to Scott Boland, resulting in another disappointing result for the Indian skipper.