Rohit Sharma dropped from 5th test of BGT, Bumrah takes charge

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has been dropped from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. This marks a significant development following his prolonged poor form in the series. Sharma has accumulated only 31 runs in his last five innings, adding to a worrying total of 142 runs at an average of 11.83 in his last 12 innings across all formats. His form has been a concern, with his last score above 30 coming in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah has taken over the leadership role. Bumrah, India’s top performer in the series with 30 wickets at a sub-20 average, will lead the team for the crucial final Test. He had previously led India to victory in the first Test of the series in Perth, and his leadership now comes under the spotlight as India faces Australia, trailing 2-1 in the series. The decision to have Bumrah take over as captain reflects a shift in India's focus on form and performance over seniority.

Shubman Gill will replace Sharma in the playing XI, opening the batting alongside KL Rahul. Gill’s inclusion is part of the strategic adjustments made by the team management to strengthen the top order. India, needing a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and stay in contention for a place in the World Test Championship final, has opted for changes to improve their batting stability. Sharma’s absence has created space for Gill to solidify his place at the top of the order.

India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final now depend on their performance in Sydney. They must win the final Test to level the series 2-2 and also rely on Sri Lanka not losing their two upcoming Tests at home against Australia. This scenario reflects the immense pressure India faces to perform, with their current loss to Australia putting them in a precarious position in the standings. Sharma’s leadership has come under scrutiny due to India’s poor results, which include a 3-0 whitewash against Australia in the previous series.

Alongside Sharma’s exclusion, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is also under pressure due to inconsistent performances and questionable shot selection. Reports suggest that Pant may be dropped for the Sydney Test in favor of Dhruv Jurel, who has been included in the squad. India’s bowling attack will also undergo changes due to injury concerns. Akash Deep has been ruled out with a stiff back, and both Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana are in contention to replace him in the playing XI. India’s team selection will be based on pitch conditions and strategy, with the management keen to make the most of the final Test.