Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has described Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s absence from Australia’s fifth Test as an “emotional” decision. Former India coach Ravi Shastri speculated that the skipper might end his Test career.
Opener Rohit, 37, struggled throughout the series. His absence from India’s pre-match press conference hinted at his possible omission.
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Coach Gautam Gambhir spoke to the media on Thursday but did not offer explicit support to Rohit. India trailed 2-1 in the series before the final Test.
During the toss, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah said Rohit had “chosen to rest” for the benefit of the team.
“It was definitely an emotional decision because he has been captain for a long time,” Pant said after a first day’s play.
Pant acknowledged Rohit’s long-standing leadership role in the team. He also said that the decision regarding Rohit’s omission was a management decision.
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“We see him as a leader of the team, but there are certain decisions you are not involved in. This is a call from management and I was not part of this conversation.”
Shastri suggested Rohit could have made the decision to retire, hinting at the potential end of his 67-Test career.
“It’s always a courageous call for a captain to acknowledge and say, ‘I’m ready to take the bench in this game,’” Shastri said while commentating on Fox Sports.
“If there was a home season coming up he might have thought about continuing, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this test.
“It’s not that India doesn’t have young people. There are very, very good players behind the scenes and it is time to build.
“Difficult decisions, but there is a time for everything. »
Rohit retired from T20 internationals last year after winning the World Cup, but is yet to retire from ODIs.
He missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child. He hasn’t scored more than 10 runs in one of his five innings since his return.
This poor form follows an equally disappointing performance in India’s 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand in October-November.
“Our captain showed his leadership, he chose to rest in this match,” Bumrah said during the toss.
“So this shows that there is a lot of unity in our team, that there is no selfishness. Whatever is in the best interest of the team, we seek to do.
If Rohit withdraws from Tests, it would be India’s second major withdrawal from the tour. Ravichandran Ashwin returned home after the third Test at the Gabba.
Ashwin’s non-selection for the Brisbane Test appeared to be the final factor in the 38-year-old’s decision.
