Thu Jan 02 19:52:46 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma to Sit Out Sydney Test, Bumrah to Captain

**Sydney, Australia –** Indian captain Rohit Sharma will be rested for the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia, starting January 3rd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is expected to lead the team in his absence.

Sources indicate that Shubman Gill will return to the playing XI, batting at number three, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings. While Rishabh Pant, despite poor batting form, is likely to retain his place, Prasidh Krishna may replace the injured Akash Deep.

This decision comes after Rohit’s poor form in recent matches. His batting average in the last nine Tests is a mere 10.93, and a dismal 6.2 in the Border-Gavaskar series. Speculation is rife that the Melbourne Test might have been Rohit’s last for India, given his age and the upcoming World Test Championship cycle.

Coach Rahul Dravid and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar have reportedly approved Rohit’s rest. This was hinted at the day before the match when Dravid was seen in lengthy discussion with Bumrah, while Rohit’s practice session was notably brief.

The Indian squad for the Sydney Test includes: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Devdutt Padikkal. The Australian team is expected to field Sam Constas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland.

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