'It was emotional decision because...' - Rishabh Pant breaks silence on Rohit Sharma's decision to opt out of Sydney Test

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma getting ‘rested’ from the Sydney Test against Australia, has been the talk of the town in the cricketing fraternity for the last 24 hours. There have been a lot of statements from the former crickets, experts and the fans of the fans if Rohit has been ‘rested’, ‘dropped’, or ‘opted out’.

This unexpected call of the Indian skipper not to be a part of the playing XI has left the experts and the fans with divided opinions. Some think that the decision was right considering his dismal run of form with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. On the other hand, some feel that he should’ve been there in the middle to prove himself with the bat and fight with the poor form.

Meanwhile, the star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant who is part of India’s playing XI in the fifth and last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has broken his silence on ‘Rohit Sharma’ debate.

We see him as a leader of the team – Rishabh Pant on Rohit Sharma 
Pant addressed a press conference after the end of the first day of the ongoing Sydney Test where he expressed his views on the same.

“I think it was an emotional decision because he has been the captain for a long time, and 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’. I was not a part of that conversation so, I can’t explain it other than that,” said Rishabh Pant to the journalists during the press conference.

Rohit sharma should fight out this phase - Irfan Pathan 

Earlier before the start of the Test match, former India all-rounder and now the commentator, Irfan Pathan came up with a strong stance while expressing his views on Rohit Sharma.

“In my personal opinion, Rohit sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and i am sure he has the ability to turn this around,” wrote Irfan Pathan in a post from his official X handle (formerly Twitter)

“This is the last and a crucial test match of the series, and experience should come in handy. Whatever decisions required to be made should come out after the series,” he added later.

Here’s a look at what Irfan Pathan said about Rohit Sharma:

In my personal opinion, Rohit sharma should fight out this phase. I don’t want him to walk out of this. He has done enough for Indian cricket, and i am sure he has the ability to turn this around.This is the last and a crucial test match of the series, and expirence should come…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 2, 2025