Is Rohit Sharma playing BGT 2024-25 5th Test?

All eyes were on the captains walking out for the toss for the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test between India and Australia at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3. Rohit Sharma has opted to rest for this match.

On the eve of the Test, there were reports about regular India skipper Rohit possibly missing out from the playing XI. Those turned out to be true, as Jasprit Bumrah walked out to the middle for the toss and confirmed Rohit's absence for the all-important Sydney Test.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bumrah said about Rohit (via Hindustan Times):

"Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there's a lot of unity in this team. There's no selfishness. Whatever is in the teams best interest we are looking to do that. Two changes, Rohit has opted to rest and Akash Deep is injured so Prasidh comes in."

Bumrah also hoped the team could get through the new ball with the bat to set the game up.

"We've played some really good cricket in this series. The last match was pretty exciting. hopefully we can put up a good show. It seems to be some grass. It doesn't look to have too many demons or look too spicy. Obviously there will be a challenge with the new ball but if you get through it's always a god batting track," he said.

Rohit has been woefully short of runs in the ongoing series, averaging a dismal 6.20 with a highest score of 10 in five innings.

His recent Test form has trended south with an average of under 11 and a lone half-century in his last 15 innings, dating back to the home series against New Zealand.

Team India won their lone Test in the BGT 2024-25 without Rohit Sharma

Australia v India - Men's 1st Test Match: Day 4 - Source: Getty

Team India are no stranger to playing without regular skipper Rohit Sharma, having done so in the opening Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. The visitors, led by an inspired Jasprit Bumrah, overcame all odds to produce a 295-run victory to take a 1-0 lead.

However, the side has struggled since Rohit's return in the second Test, losing two of the next three, with the third Test in Brisbane ending in a draw. India have suffered defeats in five of their last six Test outings under Rohit, including a 0-3 home series whitewash against New Zealand before the Australia series.

Coming to the Sydney Test, Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit in the XI, while an injured Akash Deep has made way for fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna.

Trailing 1-2 in the best-of-five series, India are in a must-win situation to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.