The Indian cricket team has arrived in Sydney, Australia, for the fifth and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. While the series has had its fair share of ups and downs, the focus this time is not on the players’ performances but on the drama unfolding within the Indian dressing room. Reports, rumors, and speculations have been circulating nonstop for the past two to three days, especially after India’s loss at Melbourne.

The latest and most shocking news involves the team captain, Rohit Sharma. Reports suggest that Rohit will not play the Sydney Test, a decision that has sparked outrage and confusion among fans. Officially, it is stated that Rohit has been "rested," but many believe that head coach Gautam Gambhir had a significant role in this decision. This has led to widespread backlash, particularly from Rohit’s fans, who feel he has been unfairly treated.

Rohit Sharma’s recent performance in the series has been far from impressive. In five innings, he has managed to score only 31 runs, averaging just 6.20. From a purely performance-based perspective, dropping him might seem justified. However, what makes this decision controversial is the fact that he is the captain of the team. A captain being dropped from the playing XI is not just unusual—it’s almost unheard of, and for many, it sounds disrespectful to his stature as a senior player.

Fans, however, see this as more than just a cricketing decision. They believe there’s internal politics at play, with Rohit being made the scapegoat for the team’s overall poor performance. Many are questioning if this is truly about cricket or if personal differences between Gambhir and Rohit are influencing team decisions.

Read Also:Gautam Gambhir Likely to Step Down as India Head Coach Due to Poor Team Performance and Player Concerns

Reports of Dressing Room Disputes

Rumors of a rift between Gambhir and Rohit have been making rounds for weeks. Sources suggest the two have different ideas about how the team should play, which has caused tension in the dressing room. During a recent practice session, the two reportedly avoided interacting, with Rohit focusing on his batting while Gambhir worked with other players.

There’s also talk of a senior cricket official urging Gambhir to allow Rohit to play the final Test so he could retire from Test cricket on a positive note. However, Gambhir allegedly refused, prioritizing the team’s chances of winning the match and securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Fans Take to Social Media

The decision to drop Rohit has not gone down well with his fans, who have taken to social media to express their anger. The hashtag “RIP Gautam Gambhir” has been trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans accusing Gambhir of being unfair and blaming him for creating unrest within the team. This kind of public reaction shows how deeply cricket fans in India feel about their favorite players and the decisions affecting them.

We will show them what toxicity looks like.
RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR. Start the counting.

Only TRUE ROHIT FANS are allowed of Like and Rt this tweet

RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR#ripgautamgambhir #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/wr5hugToL5

— ✰Muຮαfir✰ (@musafir216) January 2, 2025

Fight between #RohitSharma vs #GautamGambhir Supporters for 5th Test & #ShubmanGill replace to #RohitSharma𓃵 💔

RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR
INDIA SUPPORTS GAMBHIR pic.twitter.com/SQT2e3vg9z

— Mr.Dk (@Dk_Singh31) January 2, 2025

It's trending no 1 #RIPGAUTAMGAMBHIR pic.twitter.com/TiPSgbd48p

— Brahma Koli (@BrahmaKoli86502) January 2, 2025

Read Also:Rohit Sharma Will Be Dropped from the Sydney Test: Strong Hints Here

India is in a tough spot. With Australia leading the series 2-1, the Sydney Test is a must-win for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep their WTC final hopes alive. Shubman Gill will replace Rohit Sharma in the playing XI, with KL Rahul expected to open the innings. While the team focuses on the upcoming match, the controversy surrounding Rohit’s exclusion has added immense pressure.