Thu Jan 02 22:23:01 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma Dropped from Indian Cricket Team for Sydney Test
**Sydney, Australia –** Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is set to be dropped from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney, starting Thursday. Sources confirm the decision, citing Sharma’s poor performance in the series, where he has only scored 31 runs in the last three matches. He will reportedly be replaced by Shubman Gill.
Despite pressure from an influential BCCI administrator to retain Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir prioritized winning the Sydney Test and securing India’s place in the World Test Championship final. Gambhir remained evasive when directly questioned about Sharma’s participation, stating the team’s decision would depend on pitch conditions.
This marks a significant development, as Sharma would become the first Indian captain dropped due to poor form. The decision underscores Gambhir’s commitment to performance-based selection. If confirmed, pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the team’s top performer with 30 wickets in four matches, will captain the side. This would follow a similar pattern to MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble’s retirements mid-series, though their departures were due to injury rather than form. Sharma’s last Test innings at the MCG, where he struggled despite favorable conditions, is widely seen as the final indicator of his poor form.
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