Indian captain Rohit Sharma will not feature in the final Test against Australia in Sydney following poor form with the bat.
The 37-year-old has scored just 31 runs in five innings in the series at an average of 6.20, while his average in his last eight matches is 10.93, with a best of 23 against Bangladesh in september.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah insisted Rohit chose to “rest”, saying after winning the toss and choosing to bat: “Our captain showed leadership.
“It shows that there is a lot of unity in this team. There is no selfishness. Whatever is in the best interest of the team, we seek to do.
Rohit scored just 31 runs in five innings in Australia this winter
Rumors have been swirling that Rohit – who was replaced in the XI by Shubman Gill – might announce his retirement from Test cricket, although he is yet to speak about it publicly.
India trail 2-1 and need a win at the SCG to snatch a series draw and stay in contention to face South Africa in the World Test Championship final in June at Lord’s .
-A victory for Australia in Sydney will allow Pat Cummins’ team to take on the Proteas.
India won the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs, with Bumrah in charge while Rohit was on paternity leave, but then lost the second in Adelaide by 10 wickets before a rain-affected draw in Brisbane was followed by a 184-run victory for Australia. in Melbourne.
Jasprit Bumrah to captain India at SCG
Rohit has captained India in 24 Tests since taking over from Virat Kohli in the role in 2022, winning 12, losing nine and drawing three.
The right-hander announced his retirement from international T20 cricket after India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June following a seven-run win over South Africa in the final.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandan Ashwin has retired from all international cricket after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.
