The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to be rested for the fifth and final test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and Bumrah is set to lead the team in his absence.
Rohit who has played 67 tests for India has been struggling with his form, might not have been done for red-ball cricket.
“The fourth Test in Melbourne may well have been Rohit’s last in Test cricket. Unless the BCCI intervenes and requests him to play one final time, the decision is unlikely to change,” the source said.
Shubman Gill is set to replace Rohit Sharma in the playing 11 and will bat at no. 3 while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to take up the opening slots for the series finale.
Rohit Sharma made only a cameo appearance in India’s training session ahead of the test match in Sydney. On the eve of the big game, Rohit was seen more talking to the coaches including head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Bumrah.
He did not train at the nets with the first batch of his teammates, which included Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rohit arrived last to the nets and batted for only 10-odd minutes. He was then spotted having another chat with Gautam Gambhir and Bumrah at one of the stands at iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
The development comes after coach Gambhir refused to confirm Rohit’s place in the Xl while addressing the press on the eve of the Test match. Contrary to tradition, the coach and not the captain, addressed the media on Thursday at the SCG.
“Everything is fine with Rohit. I don’t think it’s a tradition. The head coach is here. That should be fine, that should be good enough. I am going to have a look at the wicket and finalise it tomorrow,” Gambhir said.
“As I just said, we are going to have a look at the wicket and announce the playing XI tomorrow,” said Gambhir.
Shubman Gill was dropped from the fourth test and is set to return to the Xl and take his No.3 spot. India will be missing Akash Deep for the fifth and final test. The Bengal pacer was ruled out with a back injury. Either Prasidh Krisha or Harshit Rana will replace Akash.
Australia secured a unassisable 2-1 lead in the BGT with an 184-run victory in the fourth test at Melbourne after the third match resulted in a draw. The final match of the five match series will begin on January 03 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
