“They come up with their own stories” - Former India selector slams rumors of Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir rift ahead of 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former member of the Indian men's cricket team selection committee and ex-cricketer, Salil Ankola has given his two cents on rumours of a rift between skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ankola played down the reports and doubts, stating that the media "come up with their own stories."

Ankola stated that such speculations are always blown out of proportion when the Men in Blue don't perform well. During an interaction with IANS, he said:

"I am not a part of the Indian team selection committee now, but I don't think that's the case. If it was the case, it would have been internally sorted out. There is always hue and cry once Indian cricket team doesn't do well. But this, it might be blown out of proportion. Most of these guys have played together when Gautam was there, like Virat and Rohit have played with him, or even Surya has played little bit with him. Rest of the team is young.

"Let's wait and watch what exactly the whole thing is - there's a lot of chatter going on about, like Rohit not playing or this and that guy should be dropped. Every other paper comes out with a different story, and even the Australian media is not helping us too much. They come up with their own stories, which has always been the case. With Australian media, it's always at its worst, whether it is against India, England, or any other team."

Indian Express have claimed that Rohit Sharma has been rested for the upcoming fifth and final Test of the ongoing series against Australia.

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Team India head into the Sydney Test trailing in the BGT 2024-25

Team India are on the verge of conceding the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) to Australia for the first time since 2017. The Men in Blue have won four series on the trot against their rivals, with two of them coming in Australia.

Most recently, India and Australia faced off in the fourth Test at the MCG, which the hosts won by 184 runs. Team India need to win the fifth Test in Sydney to retain the BGT. If they manage to do so, this will be their first win at the SCG since 1978.