Year: 2025

New Delhi: India star batter Virat Kohli is back in charge of the Indian Test captain for the first time after 2021. With captain Jasprit Bumrah off the field and possibly ruled out of the fifth and final Test at the SCG and regular skipper Rohit Sharma dropped, Kohli had to take over the reigns of the team in the second session as Indians bowled out Australia for 181 to take a 4-run lead

India faced a significant setback on Saturday as captain and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was seen leaving the stadium for precautionary scans after experiencing discomfort following his first over of the post-lunch session on day two of the fifth Test. In his absence, Virat Kohli assumed the captaincy. Bumrah, who had already claimed 32 wickets in the series, had taken 2/33 from 10 overs, including the crucial wicket of Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session.

Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s standout bowler in the series, with a remarkable tally of 32 wickets at an average of 12.64, including best figures of 6/76. He has claimed three five-wicket hauls. Bumrah has bowled the most overs in the series, delivering 143.2 overs. His closest competitor in terms of overs bowled is Mohammed Siraj, who has bowled 130.1 overs, taking 16 wickets at an average of 31.56.

After bowling a single over in his post-lunch spell, Bumrah appeared to experience discomfort, possibly due to a side strain. He had a brief conversation with Virat Kohli before leaving the field. Shortly after, the official broadcasters showed Bumrah leaving the venue accompanied by the team’s security liaison officer, Anshuman Upadhyay, and the team doctor.

Bumrah, typically known for his calm and composed demeanor, lost his cool after the Australian teenager made some remarks from the non-striker’s end. However, the mood shifted when Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja on the final ball of the day, leading to a heartwarming display of unity from the Indian team. Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and other players joined Bumrah, showcasing strong team solidarity.

Rohit Sharma also gave his candid opinion on the incident, supporting his players and pointing out that the Australian star provoked Bumrah first. He said, “Our boys stay calm as long as they’re pushed to be calm. If you’re poking them, don’t expect them to sit quietly. We are here to play cricket, not engage in nonsense. Such antics don’t look good.” Rohit’s statement further emphasized the importance of maintaining respect on the field.

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New Delhi: Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, currently struggling with form, made a significant decision on January 3 to opt out of the ongoing fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Following his decision, rumors circulated about Rohit potentially retiring from Test cricket. However, the 37-year-old right-handed batter clarified his stance in a conversation with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on Saturday, providing a crucial update about his Test career future.

Rohit Sharma explained that his decision to sit out of the fifth Test was due to his recent struggles with form. He felt it was the right choice to step back from the match.

Rohit Sharma further added, “Runs are not coming now, but it’s not guaranteed they won’t come in five months. I’ll work hard. People sitting with laptops, pen, and paper don’t decide when retirement comes or the decisions I need to make.”

Rohit Sharma:

The discussion (before the start today) was that there is lot (of assistance for the bowlers) on the wicket and it will be a game of patience. Our batters struggled and we knew it won’t be easy for their batters as well, the challenge is to maintain pressure consistently and we have five wickets in the session. Boys bowled really well and the catching was really good as well. The next session is going to be really crucial, this is what happens in Test cricket. Every session is crucial, we won the previous session hopefully we will win the next session as well. I stood down (talking about the decision to exclude himself from this game) that is what I would say. Basically the chat I had with the coach and selector was simple: I am not in form, it is an important match and we need a player in form. Not thinking too far ahead, right now what the team needs is the priority. I made this decision after we came here (Sydney), it was going on in my mind that it is important for me to step aside because I wasn’t getting runs with the bat. When I arrived in Perth it was quite evident why we won that game, we had that 200-run (opening) partnership in the second innings which is what won us the game. KL Rahul and Jaiswal played really well, and they brought us into situation where we couldn’t lose the game. I don’t believe in what will happen in 6 months or 4 months time, I always stay in the present and think about what needs to be done right now. This is not a retirement decision, I am out of the game because I wasn’t in form. Life changes everyday and I have full belief that things will change. I have to be true to be myself though and be realistic as well. I am sensible, matured and father of 2 kids, so I know what to do when. You need to understand what the team needs, if you do not think about the team, you don’t want those kind of players. We call it a team, so always think about what the team needs. This is my personal thinking and this is how I played my cricket and this is how I am outside cricket as well. I am very transparent as a person. The way he (Bumrah) sets standards with the ball, he is absolute class. When I saw him for the first time in 2013, his graph has gone really high ever since and has gone from strength to strength. Nothing is given in this format of the game, you got to earn it. What happens in leadership is, everyday you will not have a good day. Ideas and mindset can be the same, but sometimes the result won’t work in your favour. We know that a lot of people are going to judge us, but I will never doubt myself. It could be wrong sometimes, but we all go there with a mindset to win. Like yesterday, we should have bowled on that wicket instead of batting, such things happen. I am not going anywhere.

India is playing its final match of the WTC cycle and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, where a victory is crucial to retain the series and keep their hopes alive for the WTC final. Let’s take a look at the captains who have had a better record in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and boast a good success rate.

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