Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has expressed support for Rohit Sharma’s decision to sit out the fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rohit, who has been struggling with form, scoring only 31 runs across his last five Test innings, chose to rest for the match. In his absence, KL Rahul will open the innings, with Shubman Gill moving to No. 3.
Speaking at the toss with former India head coach Ravi Shastri, Bumrah lauded Rohit’s decision as a testament to the team’s unity and selflessness. Bumrah, who has been in exceptional form throughout the series, highlighted the positive atmosphere within the dressing room.
“The chat has been about keeping the spirits high and learning from every match. Our captain has shown great leadership by prioritizing the team’s best interests over individual performance,” Jasprit Bumrah remarked.
WATCH – Virat Kohli Escapes First-Ball Dismissal: Controversial Catch Drama Unfolds in Sydney Test
Rohit’s struggles in the series have been evident. After missing the first Test due to delayed arrival in Australia following the birth of his second child, he played the next three matches but failed to make an impact. Batting at No. 6 in the second and third Tests, Rohit managed scores of 3, 6, and 10. He returned to the top order in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but could only muster 3 and 9 runs in two innings.
It’s #JaspritBumrah who won the toss & opted to bat first in the series decider at the SCG! #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 1, LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/hOcL7JtYQP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 2, 2025
India’s lineup for the Sydney Test features Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, with Bumrah leading the bowling attack alongside Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. Conversely, Australia fields a strong XI with Pat Cummins as captain, supported by seasoned players like Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Lyon.
ALSO READ: Pat Cummins Backs Young Gun Sam Konstas Ahead Of Sydney Test Finale
As India looks to regroup and finish the series on a high, Bumrah’s leadership and Rohit’s decision underline the team’s focus on collective success over individual accolades. The match promises to be a challenging contest with high stakes for both teams.
