The storm that has come in Indian cricket after Team India’s shameful defeat by 184 runs in Melbourne will be visible in the Sydney Test as well. Rohit Sharma will not be a part of the playing eleven in the Sydney Test starting from Friday, sources have informed. Rohit Sharma has been struggling for runs not only in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series but in Test cricket for some time. Rohit has scored 164 runs in the last 15 innings at an average of 11. The Indian team was once a strong contender to reach the final of the World Test Championship. But after this things changed rapidly.
New Zealand created history by defeating Team India 3-0 on Indian soil. This hurt India’s prospects. But the defeat in Melbourne dealt a blow to India’s hopes and now its chances of reaching the final of the Test Championship will depend on the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia. Apart from this, there are also reports that Rohit Sharma can announce his retirement after the Sydney Test.
Madan Lal, former player of the Indian team and part of the 1983 world winning team, has spoken to NDTV. On Rohit Sharma being rested for the Sydney Test, Madan Lal has called it a step taken in the interest of the team. Madan Lal said, “I think it is the right decision, he is not in form. The team management must have taken the decision. If you can go with someone else, it might be better. It is a team game.” So the best team will have to play, those who are scoring will also have to be given a chance. I think it is good for the team, Rohit Sharma has been given rest for the next match.
Regarding how easy it would be for Gautam Gambhir as a coach to take the decision of dropping the captain, Madan Lal said, “It is difficult because you have to talk to the captain. One or two senior players personally. Have to go and take the best decision in the interest of the team. I think he must have talked to Rohit Sharma about the situation and what he thinks about it. He said ok, its fair enough to have someone else in the team. He will come in my place because I am not in good form, so this is the best thing.”
There are speculations about whether Rohit Sharma will retire after the Sydney Test. Regarding Rohit’s retirement, Madan Lal said, “I don’t know, it will be a very personal decision of Rohit Sharma, but if he feels that he can continue playing further then he will have to perform. This is the main thing. ” “He will have some thoughts about whether he should continue after the Test match or not and why he should choose the remaining Test matches.”
