[Watch] Rohit Sharma seen smiling as he lands in Sydney ahead of BGT 2024-25 do-or-die 5th Test

India captain Rohit Sharma was seen smiling as he landed in Sydney ahead of the fifth and final Test against Australia, which starts on January 3. The 37-year-old smiled as he descended on an escalator in what appeared to be an airport. The reaction comes amid his retirement rumors following a sharp downfall in numbers with the bat.

Watch Rohit Sharma’s reaction in Sydney below:

The right-handed batter enters the fifth Test after managing just 164 runs in his last 15 Test innings at an average of 10.93, including a solitary half-century. As far as the ongoing series is concerned, Rohit has returned with below-par scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 so far.

Rohit began the series at No.6 before switching back to opening role in Melbourne. In-form KL Rahul was shifted to No.3 while Shubman Gill was axed from the playing XI.

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“It’s a call” – Former coach reacts to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future in Tests

Former India coach Ravi Shastri said that Rohit Sharma has to make a call on his future after his dry run in Tests. He, however, backed Virat Kohli to play for at least 3-4 years. The cricketer-turned-commentator told Star Sports (via Hindustan Times):

“I think Virat will play for some time. Forget the way he got out, or whatever. I think he'll play for another three or four years. As far as Rohit is concerned, it's a call. At the top of the order, you know, just feel the footwork isn't the same. He's probably at times, late in meeting the ball so it's his call at the end of the series.”

Like Rohit, Kohli has failed to deliver with the bat following his unbeaten century in Perth. He has returned with a string of low scores of 7, 11, 3, 36 and 5.

Last 15 innings

Rohit Sharma: 164 runs at an average of 10.93, including one fifty.

Virat Kohli: 348 runs at an average of 26.76, including one hundred and a half-century.

Overall in 2024 Tests:

Kohli: 417 runs in 10 Tests @24.52

Rohit: 614 runs in 14 Tests @24.76

The duo will look to deliver in the fifth Test in their seemingly last Test outing in Australia as the tourists aim to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia are leading the five-game series 2-1 after an 184-run win in the fourth Test.