Rohit Sharma is likely to be ‘rested’ ahead of the fifth Test against Australia. This player will become captain

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is likely to be “rested” ahead of the fifth Test match against Australia starting on Thursday in Sydney, sources said. In his absence, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team. Rohit has struggled mightily in the ongoing five-match Test series as he has scored just 31 runs in three matches. He missed the first Test match as he decided to stay with his family after the birth of his second child. However, since he joined the team, he has not been able to achieve much success.

Bumrah led the team in the first Test match in Perth, which they won by 295 runs.

Earlier, during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir intensified the speculation without giving a clear answer regarding Rohit’s future. Asked whether he will play in Sydney, Gambhir said the decision will be taken keeping the pitch in mind.

“Rohit is fine and I don’t think it’s anything traditional (speaking before the pre-match press conference). The head coach is here and that should be enough. We are going to look at the wicket and finish the job.” it’s tomorrow,” Gambhir told reporters in Sydney.

“I just said that tomorrow we will inspect the wicket and announce the playing XI. The answer remains the same,” he added.

With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series with just one game remaining, the Sydney Test holds special significance when it comes to their dream of reaching the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).

India will have to win the Test match and that will depend on the results of the series between Australia and Sri Lanka later this month. The defeat to Australia in the Melbourne Test came as a huge shock to the team as it left their fortunes in the WTC final out of their own hands.