"I don't consider Rohit Sharma’s decision right" - Former wicketkeeper slams Indian captain’s move in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim has slammed Rohit Sharma's decision to stand down from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fifth Test. He pointed out that the Indian captain was given the responsibility to lead the team for the entire series.

India suffered a 1-3 defeat in the recently concluded five-match series against Australia. Rohit, who had a dismal run with the bat in the three games he played in the series, opted out of the final Test in Sydney, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the team instead.

During an interaction with SportsNext, Karim was asked about his thoughts on Rohit's decision to sit out the Sydney Test.

"I don't consider Rohit Sharma's decision right. The selectors, the BCCI, and the team management had given you a responsibility. So you have to take that responsibility till the end. Every player's sporting career has such phases where you need to fight," he replied (via YouTube channel SportsNext).

The former India selector added that Rohit should have led from the front despite his indifferent form.

"You have to show that your form might not be that good but you are still ready to work hard, and that he has been given captaincy because he is an excellent batter and it's his duty to keep himself at the front on the ground when his team is not performing that well and fight for them. I was extremely surprised when Rohit took this decision," Karim observed.

Rohit missed the first Test against Australia in Perth as he wanted to spend time with his family after the birth of his second child. He managed only 31 runs at an average of 6.20 in five innings in the next three matches before skipping the New Year's Test.

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"The sort of changes Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir together made in the team, we didn't gain because of that" - Saba Karim

India played two spinners on a seamer-friendly pitch in Sydney. [P/C: Getty]

In the same interaction, Saba Karim expressed surprise about some of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir's selection decisions.

"It wasn't this decision only. There were many selection decisions while picking the XI that I found extremely surprising. The sort of changes Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir together made in the team, we didn't gain because of that. The top order failing continuously was a major blow to India," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also questioned Rohit's decision to change his batting position during the series.

"Along with that, Rohit Sharma brought himself in the middle order and then went back to open, all these things were not required. We gave the message to Australia that the Indian team did not have the spirit or the clarity in decision-making, and Australia gained because of that," Karim observed.

Rohit batted at No. 6 in the second and third Tests, with KL Rahul opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the Indian captain moved to the top of the order in the Boxing Day Test, with Rahul being demoted to No. 3 and Shubman Gill dropped from the XI.