Sydney [Australia], January 3: Former Australian cricketer Mark Taylor has weighed in on the absence of India’s Rohit Sharma from the Sydney Test, stating there is no doubt the 37-year-old was “dropped” following a string of poor performances. Rohit Sharma had been “rested” for the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, as confirmed by India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the toss.
Taylor, speaking to Triple M Cricket at the SCG, expressed his thoughts on the matter, pointing out that a country’s captain would not voluntarily opt out of a crucial final Test match. “The bottom line is, the captain of a country does not opt out for the final test match, the final deciding test match of a series. He’s no doubt, he’s been dropped. And I don’t know why they just don’t say he’s been dropped,” Taylor said.
The former cricketer further emphasized that Rohit’s absence was due to his recent poor form but clarified that it doesn’t mean his career is in jeopardy. “It doesn’t mean he’s dropped forever. It means he’s missing this Test match because he’s been out of form. That’s not a crime. That’s unfortunately professional sport, and that’s what’s happened,” Taylor explained. He also noted the inclusion of Shubman Gill in the playing XI, along with Prasidh Krishna, who replaced Akash Deep.
Despite flashes of brilliance throughout the series, India’s batting continues to be a concern, with key players like Rohit Sharma struggling for runs. Rohit has managed only 31 runs from five innings in the ongoing series, averaging a mere 6.20. His recent struggles extend beyond the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with just 42 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh, at an average of 10.50.
On the first day of the Sydney Test, India, led by Jasprit Bumrah, won the toss and chose to bat first at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia (Playing XI): Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.