NEWS
Follow UsA captain dropping himself out of the starting XI midway through a Test series is unheard of, let alone an Indian Test captain doing that. But with his form going from bad to worse, Rohit Sharma reportedly ‘opted’ to sit out the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, with the series still alive at 1-2.
There’s been no transparency over whether Rohit has dropped himself or was dropped by the management, but stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah said at the toss that Rohit decided to ‘sit out’ the game voluntarily.
When asked about the shock development, Rishabh Pant said that he had no idea about proceedings, and insisted that it was a ‘management call’ that led to the incumbent skipper ‘resting’.
"I think definitely it was an emotional decision," Pant said after day one, speaking of Rohit’s absence.
"Because he's been captain for a long time we see him as a leader of the team but I think there are some decisions which you are not involved with and it's a very management call so I was not part of that conversation so can't explain anything other than that."
Bumrah has taken over from Rohit for this game, just like how he did in Perth, and Pant revealed how the stand-in skipper’s encouraging words gave the entire dressing room a boost heading into the fifth Test.
"I think mostly the message is like be positive all the time don't think what has already happened just give your best on the field," Pant said of Bumrah.
"And that's what you want from your captain like being in a positive frame of mind and keep moving the game forward each and every day."
On the day, India got bowled out for 185 after winning the toss and batting. It was a slow day overall, yet one marred with controversy.
One such controversial moment was Washington Sundar's dismissal. The third umpire, Joel Wilson, asked the on-field umpire to overturn the decision despite the lack of fully conclusive evidence to be 100% sure that Sundar had gloved the ball.
Pant questioned the protocol in place and stated that umpires should only reverse on-field calls if they were 100% sure.
“I feel whatever decision we make on the field, it has to stay with the on-field umpire. Until and unless it’s (evidence) so conclusive to change the decision, I think we should stay with the on-field umpire. Technology can be a little better I guess,” Pant said.
Later, in the dying moments of the day, there was a heated exchange involving Bumrah and youngster Sam Konstas. The pair exchanged words on the final over of the day, and Bumrah gave Konstas a ‘death stare’ after removing Khawaja on the final ball of the day.
Pant weighed-in on the controversy.
“They wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason,” Pant said.
“He had a conversation with Jassi (Bumrah). He said something. I didn’t hear. He wanted to waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”
