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India's Predicted XI For 5th Test vs Australia: No Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant? Drastic Changes Expected

Team India have several difficult decisions to make before they enter the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. It is a must-win game for India, not only to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for a record-extending fifth time, but also keep their hopes alive for a chance to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. When asked ahead of the game whether India skipper Rohit Sharma would retain his place, head coach Gautam Gambhir remained tight-lipped, stating that a final call would be taken only after seeing the pitch on the day of the Test.

Not Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah: Video Sparks Rumour Of 25-Year-Old Replacing Rohit Sharma As India Captain In Sydney

Is the India vs Australia 5th Test in Sydney the last match for Rohit Sharma in the longest format of the game? Ahead of the do-or-die match, with the team trailing 1-2 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit's future seems to be a matter of intrigue. When asked if Rohit Sharma, the designated India captain, will play in Sydney or not, coach Gautam Gambhir gave a strange reply. He said that depending on the pitch, a decision on the Xi will be taken. Now, this is an interesting reply as it is always a given that the skipper is the first name on the playing XI. If Gambhir officially did not confirm Rohit's name in the playing XI, there must be something amiss.

"Unfortunate": Shane Watson On India Not Travelling To Pakistan For Champions Trophy

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson termed India's inability to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy as "unfortunate" but said the ICC showpiece will offer star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma a chance to liberate themselves from a prolonged form slump. The global governing body has adopted the 'Hybrid' model for this edition of the CT with India scheduled to play its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai.

Pat Cummins Likely To Miss Sri Lanka Test Tour. Says "Pretty Hard To Plan..."

Australia captain Pat Cummins hinted that he may skip the tour of Sri Lanka later this month to be present for the birth of his second child. Australia are scheduled to play two Tests in Sri Lanka on January 29 and February 6, around the same time his wife -- Becky -- is due to give birth. "It's pretty hard to plan exactly the day, but definitely (I might miss the Sri Lanka tour)," Cummins told 'The Daily Telegraph' at the launch of the Pink Test, starting here on Friday. In Cummins absence, Steve Smith or Travis Head will lead Australia.

"Coach's Here, That Is Good Enough": Gautam Gambhir's Response On Captain Rohit Sharma's Absence From PC Is Viral

India coach Gautam Gambhir declined to confirm Thursday whether embattled skipper Rohit Sharma would play in the decisive fifth Test against Australia, but said he was "extremely confident" his team could win. There will be at least one change to the side that lost the fourth Test at Melbourne this week by 184 runs after pace bowler Akash Deep was ruled out with a back problem. Either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna could play instead in the match which begins in Sydney on Friday.

India To Axe Rishabh Pant For Sydney Test? This Star Set To Replace Him: Report

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir delivered a fiery press conference on Thursday, a day ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Gambhir blasted reports that had come out regarding dressing room clashes, stating that debates between players should stay inside the dressing room. While Gambhir promptly clarified that a call on the playing XI would be made only after India had seen the pitch on the day of the Test, another report has emerged suggesting that star wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant may be axed from the side.

Gautam Gambhir Refuses To Confirm Rohit Sharma's Place In XI For Sydney Test, Says This

India captain Rohit Sharma has come under the scanner amid his poor outing with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia so far. Rohit has registered 10 single digit scores in 15 Test innings in 2024. He has managed just 31 runs across five innings, scoring 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9 at a dismal average of 6.20, the lowest by a touring captain on the Australian soil. Calls have been made by fans and experts to drop the out-of-form India captain. However, India head coach Gautam Gambhir didn't rule out the prospect of Rohit sitting out the series-decider.

"Team Takes Precedence Over Natural Game": Coach Gautam Gambhir's Stern Message

India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a press conference on the eve of the series-deciding fifth and final Test in Sydney. India trail 1-2 in the series, following their 184-run loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test last week. Although he refused to analyse individuals when asked about the questionable shot selection of players like Rishabh Pant in crunch situations, Gambhir insisted that the team's interest is paramount. For the unversed, Pant has come under the scanner for getting out while attempting rash shots in both the innings of the MCG Test.

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India's Predicted XI For 5th Test vs Australia: No Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant? Drastic Changes Expected

Not Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah: Video Sparks Rumour Of 25-Year-Old Replacing Rohit Sharma As India Captain In Sydney

"Unfortunate": Shane Watson On India Not Travelling To Pakistan For Champions Trophy

Pat Cummins Likely To Miss Sri Lanka Test Tour. Says "Pretty Hard To Plan..."

"Coach's Here, That Is Good Enough": Gautam Gambhir's Response On Captain Rohit Sharma's Absence From PC Is Viral

India To Axe Rishabh Pant For Sydney Test? This Star Set To Replace Him: Report

Gautam Gambhir Refuses To Confirm Rohit Sharma's Place In XI For Sydney Test, Says This

"Team Takes Precedence Over Natural Game": Coach Gautam Gambhir's Stern Message