sports.ndtv.com - "At Toss, Jasprit Bumrah Mentioned...": Ravi Shastri Drops Big Rohit Sharma Retirement Hint

"At Toss, Jasprit Bumrah Mentioned...": Ravi Shastri Drops Big Rohit Sharma Retirement Hint

Former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri feel that the Boxing Day Test might have been Rohit Sharma's final appearance in Test cricket, following his bold call to rest himself for the series finale that began here on Friday. The 37-year-old chose to sit out with the series on the line, having scored only 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. "I think it probably means that (if) India don't qualify for the WTC final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma's last game," Gavaskar said during the lunch break on day one.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith's Exchange After Umpiring Drama Over Golden Duck At SCG

Star India batter Virat Kohli earned a valuable lifeline on the opening day of the fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Fans around the world were left shocked after regular skipper Rohit Sharma was rested and star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was named the stand-in captain for the final Test of the five-match series. Opting to bat first, India faced early blows as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were sent back with only on the board. After their dismissals, Kohli joined hands with Shubman Gill, where he survived a close call on the very first delivery that he faced.

"Rohit Sharma Not All-time Great To...": Sanjay Manjrekar On 'Mystery' Around Star's Absence, Questions Ravi Shastri

Rohit Sharma's absence from India's XI against Australia for the fifth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy probably started a new chapter in Indian cricket. After suffering from a poor run of form, Sharma decided to opt out of the Sydney Test. This is probably the first instance of an Indian captain dropping himself from the playing XI owing to poor form, according to Sunil Gavaskar. However, former India star Sanjay Manjrekar, part of the commentary panel for the official broadcasters, was intrigued that there was so little spoken about Rohit's absence at the toss.

Denzel Dumfries Double Takes Inter Milan Into Italian Super Cup Final

Denzel Dumfries scored both goals as Inter Milan defeated Atalanta 2-0 on Thursday in Riyadh to book his team a place in the Italian Super Cup final. The Netherlands international put the reigning Serie A champions ahead against this season's league leaders four minutes into the second half with an acrobatic finish from close range. Dumfries drilled in his second of the game on the hour with a blistering strike from the edge of the box to seal Inter's spot in the final on January 6 against either Juventus or AC Milan.

Bundesliga: Nigerian Striker Gift Orban Joins Hoffenheim From Lyon

Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have signed Nigerian forward Gift Orban for a fee of nine million euros ($9.2 million) from Lyon, the French club confirmed on Thursday. The 22-year-old had fallen out of favour at Lyon after joining them a year ago from Belgian club Gent. Orban scored five times in 21 appearances for Lyon but had not featured in the league since September. "We wish Gift well in his new adventure," Lyon said.

Thomas Tuchel To Watch Spurs Face Newcastle As England Reign Begins

Thomas Tuchel will mark the official start of his England reign by watching Tottenham play Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday. Tuchel was appointed as the permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate in October, but the German only began his spell in charge on New Year's Day. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss will attend the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to check on the form of Tottenham stars James Maddison and Newcastle trio Dominic Solanke, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall.

End Of Rohit Sharma, The Test Cricketer? What 'Opting To Rest' From Do-Or-Die 5th Test vs Australia Means For India Star's Future

Is Rohit Sharma's journey as an Indian cricket team Test star over? After he 'opted to rest' (in stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah's words) from the India vs Australia 5th Test in Sydney, all indications point towards one direction: We may have seen the last of Rohit Sharma in India Test whites. From the time India coach Gautam Gambhir remained non-committal about the place of Rohit Sharma in India playing XI in the pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, the rumours had started gathering pace. By evening, sources told NDTV that Rohit Sharma would be rested and Jasprit Bumrah would be the captain. On Friday morning, all rumours were officially confirmed.

"Captain Has Shown...": On Rohit Sharma 'Opting Out' Of 5th Test, Jasprit Bumrah's Major 'Team Unity' Revelation

It's official now. Rohit Sharma is not playing the fifth India vs Australia Test in Sydney. Jasprit Bumrah, who had led India to victory in the first Test of the five-match series in Perth, walked out for the toss along with Australia captain Pat Cummins in Sydney on Friday morning. Surprisingly, Bumrah was not asked in details about Rohit Sharma's absence by commentator and former India coach Ravi Shastri. Later, visuals showed Rohit having a light chat with India coach Gautam Gambhir.

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"At Toss, Jasprit Bumrah Mentioned...": Ravi Shastri Drops Big Rohit Sharma Retirement Hint

Watch: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith's Exchange After Umpiring Drama Over Golden Duck At SCG

"Rohit Sharma Not All-time Great To...": Sanjay Manjrekar On 'Mystery' Around Star's Absence, Questions Ravi Shastri

Denzel Dumfries Double Takes Inter Milan Into Italian Super Cup Final

Bundesliga: Nigerian Striker Gift Orban Joins Hoffenheim From Lyon

Thomas Tuchel To Watch Spurs Face Newcastle As England Reign Begins

End Of Rohit Sharma, The Test Cricketer? What 'Opting To Rest' From Do-Or-Die 5th Test vs Australia Means For India Star's Future

"Captain Has Shown...": On Rohit Sharma 'Opting Out' Of 5th Test, Jasprit Bumrah's Major 'Team Unity' Revelation