Fri Jan 03 07:10:16 UTC 2025: ## Rohit Sharma Dropped From India’s Test Squad Amidst Poor Form
**Sydney, Australia** – Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma was surprisingly omitted from the playing XI for the final Test against Australia in Sydney. While team captain Jasprit Bumrah attributed the absence to Rohit’s decision to rest “in the team’s interest,” the omission from the official BCCI squad announcement casts doubt on the explanation. This marks the first time an Indian captain has been dropped mid-series.
Bumrah praised Rohit’s leadership in the decision, emphasizing team unity. However, Rohit’s recent struggles with the bat – scoring just 164 runs at an average of 10.9 in eight matches since the Bangladesh series – are widely believed to be a contributing factor. The 37-year-old also missed the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) match in Perth due to injury.
While no public disagreements with the coaching staff have been reported, Rohit’s exclusion follows a pattern in Indian cricket history. Previous instances include Polly Umrigar’s dropping in 1958-59 and Sourav Ganguly’s removal following poor performance and reported tensions with coach Greg Chappell. The circumstances surrounding Rohit’s removal remain a topic of speculation despite the official explanation.
First Piper 