Border-Gavaskar series: Rohit rests as Bumrah leads India for Sydney Test

Struggling to score runs, Rohit Sharma decided to rest himself for the fifth and the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Sydney and the job to lead India fell on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah, who had also captained India in the series opener in Perth, walked out for the toss. He won the toss and decided to bat first.

When asked about Rohit’s absence for the toss Bumrah said:

“Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there’s a lot of unity in this team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever is in the teams best interest we are looking to do that. “

Rohit’s place in the playing XI was taken by Shubman Gill who was left out of the team for the Melbourne Test. The 37-year-old had been out of form in the ongoing series as had been dismissed on the scores of 3,6,10 3 and 9. In 2024 he could only accumulate 619 runs in 26 innings across 14 matches and averaged 24.76.

On the eve of the Sydney Test Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir had indicated that Rohit could be left out for the series decider.

On being quizzed if Rohit would play in Sydney during the pre-match press conference Gambhir said: “We will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch.”

India trail the series 1-2. The visitors won the the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs before losing the Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne by 10 wickets and 149 runs respectively. The match in Brisbane ended in a draw.