'You cannot drop your captain" - Former Indian batter slams move to leave out Rohit Sharma from playing XI for 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has expressed his disapproval of the decision to drop Rohit Sharma. The batter was excluded from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Just a day before the match, reports emerged suggesting that the regular captain might be excluded from the playing XI due to his recent struggles with form. These reports were confirmed when Jasprit Bumrah stepped up at the toss on Friday and announced that Rohit had chosen to rest.

Kaif posted a video on his X account, condemning the decision to drop Rohit from the playing XI, regardless of whether it was made by the management or coach Gautam Gambhir. He stressed that Rohit is no ordinary captain who can simply be excluded, highlighting that he led India to a World Cup win just six months ago. Kaif remarked:

“Rohit Sharma is no ordinary captain whom you can simply rest or drop. Whoever made this decision, whether it was Gautam Gambhir or the selectors, you cannot drop your captain in such a crucial Test match.

"He is a respected leader who has built the team, supported young players, mentored them, and led them to victory in the World Cup just six months ago, bringing joy to India after many years. You cannot drop a captain like him.”

The 44-year-old further highlighted that it wasn’t just Rohit struggling, but even the experienced Virat Kohli had been out of form. Kaif added:

“Runs were not coming for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, or Usman Khawaja—many players struggled to score. This was a seaming track tour, where batting has been tough. Look at the ongoing Sydney Test match; it's being played on a green pitch, where people often expect a turning track.”

“I don't believe a captain should be dropped. Personally, I wanted Rohit Sharma to play, to open with Jaiswal, win this Test match, level the series 2-2, and bring the Border-Gavaskar Trophy home for India. That was the wish of both me and his fans. Runs are not coming for anyone, and if he has been dropped, it’s a wrong decision, whether it was the coach’s or the selectors' call. You can't drop your captain because, win or lose, you stand with your captain. He deserved to play—he is a highly respected leader of India,” he continued.

The Mumbai batter faced a challenging time with the bat in the 2024-25 BGT, scoring just 31 runs in five innings.

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Rohit Sharma had an average of 24.76 in Test cricket in 2024

Rohit Sharma had a solid performance in the five-match Test series against England at home, amassing 400 runs, including two centuries.

However, he faced significant struggles in the subsequent series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, managing just one fifty-plus score across 10 innings. His poor form continued in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Overall, in 2024, Rohit played 14 Test matches, scoring 619 runs at a modest average of 24.76, with two fifties and two centuries.