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With the series currently standing 2-1 in favour of Australia after the hosts won the MCG Test by 184 runs, India and Australia are now locking horns in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The Indian cricket team made a bold move as Rohit Sharma became the first Indian captain to sit out of the Playing XI with Shubman Gill replacing him in the side for the Sydney Test.
While the decision from Rohit Sharma came seeing his dismal performance in the longest format from last three series, including two at home, it also got several talking. Amongst many, former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also spoke at length on Rohit Sharma’s decision to drop out of XI.
Could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue: Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking on Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed a lack of surprise on Rohit Sharma’s omission from the India XI. "Rohit is well rested. The issue I have with Indian cricket culture, the secretive operation. Rohit is not an all-time great to keep his exclusion mysterious. I can understand if it’s Virat Kohli. But Rohit has played 60-odd Tests with one overseas century and an average of just 40. I don’t get why it should be so mysterious," Manjrekar said while speaking with the broadcaster ahead of the Sydney Test.
The 59-year-old further went onto to share a post on his social media handle, questioning Rohit Sharma’s omission from the India XI. "So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss," Manjrekar tweeted.
It is to be noted that the 37-year-old Indian top-order batter has scored only 31 runs across the three Test in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. Across three series he has played so far, including two at home, Rohit Sharma has scored only 164 runs in 15 innings at an average of 10.93. Under his captaincy, India has faced string of losses, including the end of a 12-year winning streak in home Test when New Zealand whitewashed India in November 2024.
