The fifth Test between India and Australia is being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Jasprit Bumrah is leading Team India in this match, as Rohit Sharma has decided to skip the final Test. Despite being the regular captain, Rohit took a bold decision to sit out of the playing XI midway through the series. With this move, he has set an unwanted record—becoming the first Indian captain to be dropped from the playing XI during a Test series while still being part of the squad.
In Indian cricket history, there have been instances where captains have been replaced mid-series due to retirement or personal reasons. However, this is the first time a captain has opted out of the playing XI while remaining in the squad. This is only the fourth such incident in world cricket.
The first case of a captain being dropped during an international series occurred in the 1974 Ashes series. England’s Mike Denness decided to sit out the fourth Test, and John Edrich took over as captain. However, Denness made a strong comeback in the following Test at Adelaide.
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This is the first such occurrence in international cricket since 2014. The last time it happened was when Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq stepped down mid-series against Australia in an ODI series. Shahid Afridi took over the leadership.
In the same year, Dinesh Chandimal opted out of Sri Lanka’s playing XI for the last three matches of the T20 World Cup, including the semi-final and final. Lasith Malinga then led the team to their first T20 World Cup title. Indian fans will now hope that Rohit Sharma’s sacrifice does not go in vain and that Jasprit Bumrah can lead the team to victory in the Sydney Test, leveling the series 2-2.
If the series ends in a draw, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep their hopes alive for reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final.