“I was at home, holding my newborn, watching KL [Rahul] bat [in Perth]. It was fantastic to witness.”
He had taken paternity leave for the first Border-Gavaskar Test but was scheduled to join the team for the tour game in Canberra. He made an early departure.
“While on the plane, I was fortunate to get Wi-Fi and kept an eye on the scores.”
Arriving in Perth on the third day of the first Test, he was exhausted but headed straight to the ground on the fourth day. “I wanted to get some practice too.” He quickly joined the nets to prepare for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, where India stuck with the makeshift opening partnership that had given them a 1-0 series lead. Rohit stepped aside for Rahul to take his spot.
“It was actually pretty straightforward for me. It wasn’t easy personally, but for the team, it made complete sense,” he explained about his choice to bat in the middle order.
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Rohit Sharma’s Struggles and the Decision to Reclaim the Opening Spot
Following three consecutive low scores, Rohit Sharma reclaimed his opening position. Ravi Shastri, his former coach, emphasized the significance of having the captain in form. To achieve this, the team made the tough decision to shift their best performer, KL Rahul, out of the spot where he was thriving, and remove Shubman Gill, the second-highest run-scorer in the 2023-25 World Test Championship, from the playing XI.
In the first innings in Melbourne, Rohit was dismissed while attempting a pull shot. It was a concerning moment, especially since it’s happened before. He had been late on a pull shot to Matt Henry in Mumbai, misjudging the length as it wasn’t short enough. At the MCG, he misjudged the line, playing a pull shot to Pat Cummins that was too wide.
The pull shot is a signature move for him, played on pure instinct, but lately, his instincts have led him astray. Rohit’s average is just 6.2 after five innings in this series. For comparison, Courtney Walsh, batting at Nos. 9 and 11 over eight innings during the West Indies’ tour of Australia in 1996-97, had a higher average. Rohit also averaged just 13.30 in ten innings during the home season leading up to the Australia tour.
“Sometimes those numbers can tell you that it’s been a while since I’ve scored big runs. But for someone like me, it’s all about how I feel mentally,” he said.
Rohit Sharma to Rest for Fifth Test, Bumrah to Lead India
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has “chosen to rest” for the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as confirmed by Jasprit Bumrah, who will lead the team in Sydney. Shubman Gill replaces Rohit in the playing XI and will bat at No. 3.
The leadership change was not directly addressed during the toss at the SCG, with Bumrah only stating, “Our captain has shown his leadership as well, he has chosen to rest from this game. It shows the unity within the team.” Bumrah had previously captained India to a win in the first Test of the series in Perth when Rohit was on paternity leave.
Ahead of the first ball in Sydney, Rohit had a subdued presence in the team’s final preparations. He arrived with the team at 9 am but didn’t step onto the SCG field until 15 minutes later. By that time, Bumrah had already completed his spot-bowling routine and checked in with Gautam Gambhir. Rohit, however, joined the team shortly afterward, briefly interacting with the pitch before engaging in some football with Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant.
During the team huddle, Rohit remained notably quiet, with Gambhir and Virat Kohli taking the lead in discussions. After the toss, he left the field at 9.40 am, and while the reserve players and support staff gathered for the national anthem, Rohit was not with them.
Speculation about his role in the team increased after India’s defeat in the fourth Test in Melbourne, where Rohit scored just 3 and 9. Rumors also surfaced suggesting that he might retire from Test cricket at the end of the series. On the eve of the fifth Test, coach Gautam Gambhir did not confirm or deny whether Rohit would play in Sydney, stating that the XI would be decided after assessing the pitch. Rohit’s training session was less intensive compared to some of his teammates.
Ultimately, Rohit was excluded from a crucial Test, one that India must win to draw the series and prevent Australia from taking the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. After joining the squad midway through the Perth Test following the birth of his son, Rohit had relinquished his opening position to KL Rahul, who played a key role as India went 1-0 up in the series.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Career: A Promising Start, but a Struggling Finish
After posting scores of 3, 6, and 10 in the middle order during the second and third Tests, Rohit Sharma moved back to the opening slot at the MCG but once again failed, leaving his series average a dismal 6.2 after five innings. Prior to the Australia tour, he had averaged only 13.30 in ten innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand during the home season.
Rohit’s Test year had begun on a high note, with two centuries and a fifty in India’s 4-1 home series win over England between January and March. He then led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, before retiring from the format. However, his form took a steep decline starting in September.
If this Border-Gavaskar Trophy marks the end of his Test career, Rohit will retire with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries from 67 Tests. His career can be divided into two distinct phases. The first started with great promise, featuring centuries in his first two Test innings against the West Indies in Kolkata and Mumbai.
However, he struggled with consistency in the middle order, often finding himself out of the team. In 2019, with India needing a new opener, Rohit was promoted to the top of the order, where he found his best form, amassing 2,697 runs at an average of 42.80, with nine centuries. Rohit became the Test captain in early 2022 after Virat Kohli’s resignation, leading India in 24 matches.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Career at a Crossroads: Is Retirement on the Horizon?
What could be going through Rohit Sharma’s mind? Approaching 38, he finds himself in a precarious position with India possibly eyeing a new opener. Given the come-from-behind victory in Perth and the leadership shown by Jasprit Bumrah, many believe Bumrah is ready to take over the captaincy of the Test side.
India’s must-win scenario in Sydney adds further pressure. A loss would mean surrendering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a title India has held for a decade, and could push Rohit to the edge of his Test career. Rumors already suggest that he may retire after the fifth and final Test. If that decision has already been made, why not step away now when it seems his presence might be hindering the team’s progress in their bid to level the series? Walking away is never easy, especially when no player wants to exit the game on a low note.
On day four in Melbourne, Rohit threw himself into the game, adjusting fields and maintaining the energy of his bowlers, visibly reacting to every wicket and misfield. His frustration with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s errors appeared unusual for him. Later, when opening the batting for India’s chase of 340, Rohit showed resilience. Despite the new ball moving around, he only got beaten twice. His defense was steady, and after blocking the 14th ball he faced, he was so absorbed in his technique that it took him a moment to realize he had found a gap. This was a shift from his usual approach in the home season, where he often attempted to counter problems aggressively.
Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: The Burden of Leadership and Form
“This is a game of confidence,” stated India’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar. “No matter how much you practice, no matter how much you discuss, when you’re out in the middle, it’s vital to face 20-25-30 balls.”
Rohit Sharma was facing his 40th ball of the innings—a rare moment for him, as it was only the second time in 15 innings he had batted for this long. He took an aggressive approach, attempting a powerful whip to midwicket. However, it was mis-hit and caught at gully.
While other struggling batters in the series, like Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, managed to ride out the tough phases with a bit of luck, Rohit’s mistakes were consistently and harshly punished. Virat Kohli had close calls in Perth, and Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled in Melbourne with 12 play-and-misses in the first hour, but Rohit’s errors were unforgiving.
Despite having lived out his dream of becoming a world champion and welcoming a new addition to his family, a shadow of gloom seems to have settled over Rohit. After India’s collapse to 46 all out on day one of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand in October, he faced the press with resolve, displaying a positive attitude despite the failure. But after the Melbourne defeat, he appeared drained and resigned.
Much of his leadership in Australia has hinged on whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit to bowl, and with his batting form drying up, the strain is beginning to show. Rohit remains deeply connected to the team, but those bonds appear to be weakening.
Read More: Australia vs India 5th Test Preview: India Looking to Finish High Amid Internal Struggles
FAQs
Why was Rohit Sharma left out of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
Rohit Sharma was rested for the fifth Test, with Jasprit Bumrah taking over as captain. Shubman Gill replaced Rohit in the XI and batted at No. 3.
What has contributed to Rohit Sharma’s recent poor form in the series?
Rohit’s form has been struggling, with low scores and repeated mistakes, including mishits while attempting his signature pull shot. His average is just 6.2 after five innings in this series.
How did Rohit perform before this series?
Rohit began 2024 positively with two centuries and a fifty in India’s 4-1 victory over England. He also captained India to the T20 World Cup win in June before his form dipped in September.
4. How has Rohit’s leadership been affected by his form?
Rohit’s captaincy has been questioned as his batting form has dipped. Much of his leadership in the series has been tied to whether Bumrah is fit to bowl, and his runs have dried up.
What is Rohit Sharma’s Test career record?
Rohit Sharma has scored 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 in 67 Tests, with 12 hundreds and 18 half-centuries. His career has seen a strong phase as an opener since 2019.
