As India prepares for the crucial New Year's Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, tensions and uncertainties surrounding the team’s lineup have dominated discussions. With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in Australia's favor, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing mounting scrutiny, especially regarding captain Rohit Sharma's form and potential inclusion in the playing XI.
On January 2, ahead of the decisive Test, Gambhir was notably evasive when asked about Rohit's place in the lineup. The Indian captain has struggled throughout the series, scoring just 31 runs at an average of 6.20, which is the lowest for any touring captain in Australia with at least five innings. His poor run of form has continued into the 2024-25 season, with only 164 runs in 15 innings at an average of 10.93. Despite these struggles, Gambhir refused to confirm whether Rohit would feature in the Sydney Test, only stating that the final XI would be decided after assessing the pitch conditions. He reinforced his stance that "performance" is the key factor in selection, leaving the captain's fate up in the air.
Rohit's absence from the slip cordon during training further fueled speculation about his place in the team. During the session, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy were seen practicing slip catching, while Rishabh Pant focused on wicketkeeping drills. Rohit, however, spent a significant amount of time in conversation with Gambhir, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which raised further questions about his role and involvement.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who has been in good form, appeared to be a strong candidate for the opening slot. Gill interacted with Gambhir and Bumrah during training, with a fist-bump exchange between the coach, Bumrah, and Gill, followed by a pat on the back from Gambhir, suggesting that a message may have been conveyed to the young batter. Gill's father was also spotted observing him during the nets, adding a personal touch to the training session.
Adding to the pre-match drama, reports about leaked dressing-room conversations have stirred controversy. After India’s loss in the Boxing Day Test, a report surfaced detailing Gambhir's frustration with players prioritizing their "natural game" over adapting to match situations. The breach of confidentiality has drawn sharp criticism from former cricketers like Irfan Pathan, who stated that "What happens in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room." Gambhir responded to the controversy by downplaying the reports, asserting that they were not an accurate reflection of the team's atmosphere, and emphasized that the discussions were honest, but there was no internal unrest.
Across the Tasman, Australia has been in a buoyant mood after their dominant performances in Melbourne and Adelaide. Despite their success, captain Pat Cummins announced that all-rounder Mitchell Marsh would be dropped due to poor form, with uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster coming in as his replacement for the Sydney Test.
As both teams look to seize the moment in the final Test, India's selection decisions, particularly regarding Rohit Sharma, and the fallout from internal controversies, will be under intense scrutiny. For India, winning the Sydney Test is crucial to leveling the series and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while Australia will be aiming for a series victory on home soil.
