Rohit ‘opts to rest’ from Sydney Test— Who said what

By Prakhar Sachdeo

Following his repeated failure in Tests, Indian captain Rohit Sharma “opted to rest” himself from the 5th and final Test vs Australia in Sydeny.

With Rohit not there, the responsibility to lead India in the match fell on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah. It was under Bumrah that India tasted its only succeess in the tour, a 295-run win in the Perth Test.

Bumrah though lauded Rohit’s decision to take a step back. “Our captain has shown leadership, he has opted to rest,” said Bumrah at the toss. “It shows the unity we have in the team,” he added in front of a packed arena, trying to put an end to talks of dissension in the dressing room.

Rishabh Pant top-scored in the Indian innings of 185 with a 40.Rohit’s descision made the Indian keeper emotional. “”It was an emotional moment. He is our leader but it’s a team management call (of which Rohit is a part). I was not part of the conversations and can’t say more,” he said.”

For former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar the world has already seen Rohit Sharma play his final Test. “I think it probably means that (if) India don’t qualify for the WTC final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma’s last game,” Gavaskar said during the lunch break on day one.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri resonated with Gavaskar. Shastri believes Rohit might announce his Test retirement after the series. “If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test,” Shastri said.

Australian batting great Ricky Ponting on Friday said he was “surprised”. “I was very surprised when I heard the term ‘opting out’ coming into such an important game,” Ponting told ICC Review.

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