"There are some decisions where you are not involved" - Rishabh Pant opens up on Rohit Sharma being dropped for BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Team India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant spoke about Rohit Sharma's controversial absence from the playing XI for the ongoing fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney. The skipper handed over the leadership duties to Jasprit Bumrah after criticism surrounding his batting and captaincy increased after the defeat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Rohit Sharma did not attend the traditional pre-match press conference and was not part of the fielding drills on the eve of the contest. After only a short net session, coupled with reports of unrest in the dressing room, his absence was more or less confirmed.

Stand-in captain Bumrah had remarked that Rohit Sharma 'opted to rest' and hailed him for his leadership.

Rishabh Pant, who scored a gritty 40 and was India's top-scorer in the first innings at Sydney, spoke about the call.

"It was an emotional decision. We see him as a leader. There are some decisions where you are not involved. I cannot explain more than that," Pant said during the press conference after Day 1 in Sydney (via The New Indian Express).

Pant played a crucial role after India opted to bat first on a green top under overcast conditions. Coming into bat at the start of the second session at 57-3, the left-handed batter curbed a lot of his natural instincts and had to deal with several blows on his body against the pacers.

"Definitely it is painful, but sometimes you have to do the hard work for the team. First time I got hit so much in my career but sometimes you have to. That was me today not thinking too much," Pant said of his knock.

He also spoke about the last-minute confrontation between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah. Pant reckons that something over 220 might have been an ideal total in the first innings.

"I feel he had a little chit-chat, wanted to waste some time. I feel that is the reason why he had a conversation with Jassi (Bumrah). He said something, I did not hear it, but I feel that is the only thing which he wanted to do to waste some time so that we do not bowl one more over," Pant said (via RevSportz).

I think it (pitch) should remain the same hopefully for us too. But I felt that it was a little tough pitch. The ball was doing off the wicket quite a bit, especially after the end of the second session," he added.

Australia ended Day 1 on 9-1 after three overs and trail by 176 runs in the first innings of the fifth Test.

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"I feel unless there's conclusive evidence we should stay with on-field umpire" - Rishabh Pant on Washington Sundar's controversial dismissal

The opening day was not without controversy. After Snicko played a part in contentious calls in Perth and Melbourne, it acted up yet again in Sydney. Third umpire Joel Wilson adjudged Washington Sundar out despite no overwhelming evidence offered by Snicko.

"Technology can be little better I guess. I feel unless there's conclusive evidence we should stay with the on-field umpire," Pant said.

Washington Sundar was left disappointed with the verdict as Snicko showed consistent spikes before and after the ball was near the glove and the bat.

However, earlier, a close call went in India's favor. Kohli survived a golden duck after replays suggested Steve Smith grounded the ball while trying to flick it upwards.