Rohit Sharma was dropped from the playing eleven for the series-deciding fifth Test between India and Australia in Sydney. But what came as a bigger surprise for fans was when his name went missing from the 15 players mentioned on the official team sheet.
Owing to poor form, which saw just 31 runs from Rohit's bat in five innings of this Border Gavaskar Trophy series, the captain was benched for the concluding game of the tour -- making it the first such instance for an Indian skipper in the middle of a series across formats.
However, the team sheet not having Rohit's name was not expected, and it further fueled speculations if he is set to become the second Indian player to retire in this series, following Ravichandran Ashwin. After the third Test in Brisbane, the off-spinner decided to quit international cricket with immediate effect .
Earlier, in the day, after stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first, he touched upon the situation with the 37-year-old Rohit.
"Our skipper has opted to rest. It shows the unity we have," the fast bowler said.
However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar was baffled at the word 'rested' and refused to buy it.
"I believe the official word is that he has 'opted to rest'. Will fans accept that? This is the guy who didn't play in the first Test, didn't play domestic cricket before the New Zealand series. If anyone needs rest, it is the (stand-in) captain (Bumrah) who is playing this Test," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
Rohit joined the team in Australia from the second Test onwards, as he was away on paternity leave following the birth of his child.
