India’s cricketing turmoil deepens as Rohit Sharma, the team’s current captain, finds himself under immense scrutiny. The team’s recent poor performance—losing a home series to New Zealand and falling behind in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy—has added to the pressure. Compounding matters, India’s spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final hangs by a thread, leaving Rohit in a precarious position.
Reports suggest that Rohit has chosen to step back, taking a self-imposed rest amid growing speculation about his captaincy. Indian media outlets have interpreted this as a signal that Rohit might relinquish the captaincy, with some suggesting that Virat Kohli could take up the leadership role once again.
The debate over captaincy intensified after India’s 1-2 deficit in the ongoing five-match series against Australia. Adding fuel to the fire is Rohit’s poor batting form. In 2024, he has scored just 619 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 24.76. His recent nine-Test average of 10.93 is particularly alarming, with his performance in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy dropping to a mere 6.2.
With India needing to win the final Test in Sydney to keep their WTC hopes alive, Rohit’s decision to rest has raised eyebrows. Ajit Agarkar, the head of selectors, and head coach Gautam Gambhir have reportedly accepted Rohit’s request. Gambhir’s appearance at a pre-match press conference instead of Rohit has further fueled speculation.
As per reports in The Times of India, the Indian team management is contemplating life without Rohit as captain, possibly handing the reins back to Virat Kohli. However, Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the side in the crucial Sydney Test, making it a pivotal moment for India’s cricket future.
