Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that his decision to drop himself from the Sydney Test isn't going to change anything in the Indian Test team soon. He is ready to take next challenges as an Indian Test captain. 

During the lunch break of the second day of the Sydney Test, the regular Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma clarified his decision to not play the Sydney Test. Due to his poor form with the bat, he chose to drop himself for the Sydney Test. The visitors India are trailing this five-match Test series, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, by 2-1 before the beginning of the last Test at the Syndey Cricket Ground. 

So, the Sydney Test is a must-win game for India to not only end the Test series by retaining the trophy with a 2-2 scoreline but also to stay in contention for the ICC World Test Championship Final of the ongoing cycle (2023-2025). In the absence of the regular Test captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is leading the Indian team in the Sydney Test.  

In the last 15 Test innings, captain Rohit Sharma scored only 164 runs with an average of 10.93, including one half-century and another 20+ innings. In the ongoing Australia tour, the right-handed batter scored 6, 3, 10, 9, and 3 runs. 

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah goes hospital for scan

Mein itne dur se aaya hoon yahaan pe mein bahar baithe mein thodi aaya hoon: Rohit Sharma

Rohit said to the broadcaster during the lunch break of the Sydney Test, "Mein itne dur se aaya hoon yahaan pe mein bahar baithe mein thodi aaya hoon ya match nahi khelane thodi aaya hoon mere ko match khelana hai yaar aur mere ko jitana hai team ko… aur jo pahle din jab aaya tha dressing room mein 2007 mein tab se leke yahi hai match jitana hai match team ko jitana hai. (I have come from so far away here not to have come a little bit of sitting outside or not playing the match, I have to play the match, man, and I have to win for the team... Since I joined the dressing room on the first day in 2007, we need to win the match, team has to win)" 

Ye decision lena difficult that: Rohit Sharma

The Indian Test captain continued, "Kabhi kabhi aapko samajhana padega ki team ki zarurat kya hai. Agar team ko agar aap aage nahi rakhte toh koi fayada nahi… ki mere bat se run nahi ho rahe, form nahi hai. Out of form players zyada carry nahi kar sakte team mein. Ye decision lena difficult tha, iss time pe team ko kya chaahiye tha bas. Ye thought ki paanch mahine ke baad kya hone vaala hai, chhe mahine ke baad kya kya hone vaala hai, I don't believe in that. (Sometimes you have to understand what the team needs. If you don't keep the team ahead, it's no use. I am not scoring, there is no form. Out-of-form players can't be carried much in the team. It was difficult to take this decision, but did what the team required at this time? The thought of what will happen after five months, after six months, I don't believe in that.) 

"Ki ye Jo decision hai, ye koi retirement ka decision nahi hai, naa koi mein hatane vaala hoon games se aisa koi decision nahi hai. (This decision isn’t for retirement, I am not stepping down from the game, nothing like this kind of decision)."

Team first, always! 🇮🇳

📹 EXCLUSIVE: @ImRo45 sets the record straight on his selfless gesture during the SCG Test. Watch his full interview at 12:30 PM only on Cricket Live! #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 2 | LIVE NOW | #BorderGavaskarTrophy #ToughestRivalry #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/uyQjHftg8u

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 4, 2025