NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma can be best described as a leader, both on and off the field. Although he was dropped from the fifth and final Test against Australia, he was seen engaging with his teammates, including Jasprit Bumrah, during the drinks break on Day 2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“The discussion was that there is lot on the wicket and it will be a game of patience,” Rohit said while speaking to broadcasters.
“Our batters struggled and we knew it won’t be easy for their batters as well, the challenge is to maintain pressure consistently and we have five wickets in the session. Boys bowled really well and the catching was really good as well.
“The next session is going to be really crucial, this is what happens in Test cricket. Every session is crucial, we won the previous session hopefully we will win the next session as well,” he said.
In the three Tests he played against Australia, Rohit has averaged just 6.2, with his highest score being only 10.
With some speculation suggesting that Rohit may have played his final Test for India, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant referred to the decision as “emotional.”
“It was an emotional decision because he’s been the captain for a long time. We see him as the leader of the team. There are some decisions you’re not involved with. It was a call made by the management, and I wasn’t part of that conversation, so I can’t explain further,” Pant shared during the day’s press conference.
Rohit, who retired from T20I cricket last year after leading India to the World Cup, has yet to announce his retirement from ODIs.
He missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child and has struggled to find his form since, failing to surpass 10 runs in any of his five innings.
This lackluster performance mirrors his disappointing return during India’s 3-0 series loss to New Zealand at home in October-November.
