NEWS
Follow UsFor the longest time, what was thought of as unthinkable ended up happening at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3 (Friday) as India left out their incumbent skipper for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. It was being heavily speculated on the eve of the Test that India were all set to leave out Rohit Sharma due to his horror form, with the right-hander posting 3, 6, 10, 3 & 9 across the Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne Tests.
And on the day, the speculation proved to be true, as Jasprit Bumrah walked out to lead the tourists.
Interestingly, despite Bumrah walking out for the toss, broadcaster Ravi Shastri did not question Rohit’s absence, treating proceedings like any other game. Only when Shastri asked about the changes that Bumrah opened up did Rohit voluntarily ‘opt out’ keeping in mind the team’s best interests.
Shastri’s reluctance to ask the hard questions did not go well with former India cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who expressed his disgruntlement with the cricket culture in India, where there’s an evident lack of transparency.
"Very mysterious From Ravi (Shastri). I was amazed. I don't understand this cloak and dagger thing in Indian cricket. This is the issue with Indian cricket culture. We are just secretive in our operation. Rohit Sharma is someone who has played 62 Test matches," Manjrekar said on Star Sports, reported NDTV.
"We have to share with the fans who have made cricket the great game that is India. When they see Bumrah walking out, the first thought in their minds is what happened to Rohit Sharma? Has he opted out? Has he been dropped? I was amazed that at the toss he wasn't asked. I have done the toss a few times. That would have been the first question after asking him what are you doing?.”
Speaking on the matter, Manjrekar further added: "I believe the official word is that he has opted to rest. Will fans accept that? This is the guy who didn't play in the first Test, didn't play domestic cricket before the New Zealand series. If anyone needs rest is the captain who is playing this Test.
"That is the issue that I have with Indian cricket culture. We have some brilliant cricketers and the fans follow them passionately. We just don't give them facts as much as they deserve by this very mysterious and secretive operation around some important matters."
Bumrah, in his third Test as skipper, won the toss and opted to bat. But the decision did not go down well as India got overpowered on a green, seaming wicket. At the time of writing this, the hosts were 125/6 in 61 overs.
