Who said what - top 5 expert reactions on Rohit Sharma not playing BGT 2024-25 5th Test ft. Ravi Shastri

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma opted to be rested for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah came out for the toss in place of the incumbent skipper.

Rohit missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child. He returned to lead the team in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. However, his performance with the bat has not been satisfactory at all. The right-handed batter scored 31 runs in the next three Tests at a dismal average of 6.20.

In the process, India also squandered their 1-0 lead to go 1-2 down in the five-match series with their defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and a place in the World Test Championship final berth in line, Rohit decided to opt himself out of the all-important Test. On that note, let's look at the top five expert reactions to Rohit Sharma not playing the fifth Test of BGT 2024-25.

---

#1 Sunil Gavaskar

India legend Sunil Gavaskar reckoned that the Melbourne Test would be Rohit Sharma's last appearance in red-ball cricket. He feels that India won't qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final and they should move on in the new edition of the Test Championship.

"Well, I think what it probably means is that India don't qualify for the World Test Championship final," Gavaskar said on Star Sports via India Today. "To me, it looks that the Melbourne Test would be Rohit Sharma's last game. The new cycle of the World Test Championship will start from the England series, so they will look to have somebody who will be available for 2027 final."

"Whether India gets to the final or not is another matter, but I think that's what the selection committee will do. Therefore maybe we've probably seen Rohit Sharma for the last time in Test cricket," he added.

---

#2 Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also echoed the same sentiments of Gavaskar, saying that Rohit Sharma might announce his retirement after the conclusion of the Sydney Test.

Shastri said on air:

"If there was a home season coming up he might've thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test. He's not getting younger … it's not that India don't have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it's time to build. Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything."

---

#3 Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Rohit Sharma for being brave enough to leave himself out of the playing XI.

He said on Star Sports via X:

“It is better to leave if your batter is not able to do the talking. Rohit Sharma thought about the team and added a better player, Shubman Gill, to the Playing XI. Every player can’t keep himself out of the team when he is leading the side. You don’t see that often."

“It is a selfless decision, and what Captain Rohit did today, you will not see many captains doing that. It can only happen when you are secure. Rohit is a very secure player,” he added.

---

#4 Mark Taylor

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor reckoned that Rohit Sharma has been dropped from the playing XI. Notably, stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah said that the veteran batter opted to rest from this Test match.

“The bottom line is, the captain of a country does not opt out for the final test match, the final deciding test match of a series,” Mark Taylor said on Triple M via Indian Express.

“He’s no doubt, he’s been dropped. And I don’t know why they just don’t say he’s been dropped. It doesn’t mean he’s dropped forever. It means he’s missing this test match because he’s been out of form. That’s not a crime. That’s unfortunately professional sport and that’s what’s happened," he added.

---

#5 Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Rohit Sharma for putting the team ahead of his personal goals. However, he was unhappy with the lack of clarity on the issue.

Manjrekar wrote on X:

"So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss."