Fri Jan 03 05:32:25 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma Dropped from Indian Test Team: Bumrah to Captain in Sydney

**Sydney, Australia** – In a stunning development, India captain Rohit Sharma has been dropped from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia. This marks the first time an Indian captain has been omitted from a Test lineup mid-series since the inception of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in Sharma’s absence.

Sharma’s poor form throughout the series, culminating in a paltry 31 runs across five innings at a dismal average of 6.20 – the worst ever by a touring captain in Australia – led to the decision. This follows a broader slump in his Test career since September, where he’s managed just 164 runs across three series.

The move comes after days of speculation, fueled by cryptic comments from former cricketer Gautam Gambhir and Sharma’s absence from usual fielding positions during practice. Shubman Gill replaces Sharma at number three, while KL Rahul returns to the opening position.

This is the second time Bumrah has captained India in the series, having previously led the team to victory in Perth while Sharma was absent due to the birth of his child. The last time a captain was dropped mid-series internationally was in 2014, when Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal both voluntarily stepped aside.

The decision marks a significant blow to Sharma, whose Test career appears to be facing a downturn. The team will hope Bumrah can guide them to victory in the final match.

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