In Pics: Rohit Sharma comes onto the field to offer advice and support to Jasprit Bumrah during drinks interval

India’s regular skipper Rohit Sharma has opted to rest for the fifth and final game of the series at the SCG. As rumours swirl about his place in the Test side, the 37-year-old yet again showed his selfless attitude on day two of the game. As the two sides took a drinks break, Rohit came out to the field and was seen chatting with Jasprit Bumrah. 

Rishabh Pant was also seen joining in the chat and listening intently to what the veteran skipper had to say. Curiously, Rohit wasn’t spotted wearing his Test cap as he made his way out onto the field. There are reports that BCCI is set to sit down and talk with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the Australian tour. 

Rohit Sharma walks out during drinks to have a chat with Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant. India have been on fire with the ball on Day 2. pic.twitter.com/d8T8cPk14x

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) January 4, 2025

On the field, the Indian bowlers had the Australian batters in a tight stranglehold just before lunch on day two. The hosts ended the session at 101/5 still trailing India by 84 runs. Jasprit Bumrah began by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for two runs. Mohammed Siraj then dismissed Sam Konstas and Travis Head in a single over. Prasidh Krishna got the big wicket of Steve Smith for 33 just before lunch. 

Mohammad Kaif slams decision to drop Rohit Sharma 

Former India star Mohammad Kaif has come out and slammed the team management for their decision to drop Rohit Sharma. The 44-year-old wasn’t happy with the decision to leave out Rohit for the final game of the series taking place at the SCG. 

Kaif said “Rohit Sharma is not an ordinary captain who can be rested or dropped. Whoever has dropped Rohit Sharma, be it Gautam Gambhir or the selectors, in a crucial Test, the captain, a respectful leader, who has created this team,"

The former India star also added “He has backed the kids; he won India the T20 World Cup six months back. He brought so much happiness to the country. He is a leader. You cannot drop him”

Mohammad Kaif went on to add “Rohit Sharma has not scored runs, Virat Kohli has not scored runs. Even Usman Khawaja has not scored runs. There are many players who are not amongst the runs in the series as the matches are being played on seaming tracks. The batting has not been easy. Sydney Test is also being played on a fast, bouncy pitch”

“n my opinion, you don't drop the captain. I wished to see Rohit Sharma playing and coming out to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal. I wanted him to make India win in Sydney and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Runs are not being scored by anyone. Dropping him is wrong. The captain can never be dropped. If you win, it's with the captain, if you lose, you lose with the captain. He is not someone who can be dropped” further opined Mohammad Kaif.