Rohit Sharma: India captain sits out final Test against Australia in Sydney after poor form | Cricket news

India captain Rohit Sharma will be out of the final Test against Australia in Sydney after poor form with the bat.

The 37-year-old has scored just 31 runs in five innings in the series at an average of 6.20, while his average across his last eight matches is a paltry 10.93, with a best of 23 against Bangladesh in September.

Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah insisted that Rohit had chosen to “rest” himself, saying after winning the toss and opting to bat: “Our captain has shown leadership.

“It shows there’s a lot of togetherness in this team. There’s no selfishness. Whatever’s in the best interest of the team, we’re looking to do it.”

Rumors have been swirling that Rohit – who has been replaced in the XI by Shubman Gill – could announce his retirement from Test cricket, though he has not made a public statement about it yet.

India are 2-1 down and need a win at the SCG to clinch the series tie and remain in contention against South Africa in June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

An Australian win in Sydney will follow Pat Cummins’ side against the Proteas.

India won the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs, led by Bumrah while Rohit was on paternity leave, but then lost the second in Adelaide by 10 wickets before a rain-affected draw in Brisbane was followed by a 184-run win for Australia in Melbourne.

Rohit has captained India in 24 Tests since succeeding Virat Kohli in the role in 2022, winning 12, losing nine and drawing three.

The right-hander announced his retirement from T20 international cricket after India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June following a seven-run victory over South Africa in the final.

India off-spinner Ravichandan Ashwin retired from all international cricket after the third Test against Australia in Brisbane.