AUS vs IND 2024-25: Why is Rohit Sharma not playing fifth Test?
Australia is currently leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at 2-1.
Team India made a bold decision and dropped Rohit Sharma from the fifth Test against Australia at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Rohit became the first Indian captain to be benched in the middle of an international series. Jasprit Bumrah, who led India to a comfortable win in the opening Test at Perth, walked in for the toss.
Bumrah confirmed the development at the toss as he noted that, Rohit has opted to rest himself and there is no selfishness in the team as the decision was made in the best interest of the team. India made another change by bringing back Shubman Gill for Akash Deep, who was suffering from back stiffness. Prasidh Krishna will play his third Test, the last being in January 2024 against South Africa in Cape Town.
"We've played some really good cricket in this series. The last match was pretty exciting. hopefully we can put up a good show. It seems to be some grass. It doesn't look to have too many demons or look too spicy. Obviously there will be a challenge with the new ball but if you get through it's always a god batting track. Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there's a lot of unity in this team. There's no selfishness. Whatever is in the teams best interest we are looking to do that. Two changes, Rohit has opted to rest and Akash Deep is injured so Prasidh comes in," Bumrah said at the toss.
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On the other hand, Australia who announced their playing XI one day prior have made just one change. 31-year-allrounder Beau Webster is all set to make his international debut as he was handed his Baggy Green earlier in the day. Mitchell Marsh, who has had an underwhelming performance in the series, has been dropped from the playing XI, as confirmed by Pat Cummins.
Meanwhile, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, which the Australian captain also wanted to do, as he mentioned.
"We were going to bat as well. But overcast conditions, so hopefully we can get the ball to swing around a bit. All the boys have pulled up well after a short turnaround. Just one change, Beau Webster is debuting in place of Mitch Marsh," Cummins said.
Playing XI:
Australia: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
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