Who is replacing Rohit Sharma in the final Test match against Australia at the SCG?

Team India came to Sydney Cricket Ground to win the final game of the series and retain the BGT. The visitors also need a win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the WTC finals alive. It was Jasprit Bumrah who was the leading the side after Rohit Sharma had opted out of the game. 

Gautam Gambhir during the pre-match press conference had more or less hinted at Rohit’s non-inclusion. The 37-year-old skipper has scored just 31 runs during the current tour of Australia with a best of 10 which came during the Gabba Test. Shubman Gill replaced Rohit Sharma and is set to bat at number 3 spot. 

Australia made one change to their team as they gave the debut cap to 31-year-old Beau Webster. Home team have dropped Mitchell Marsh for after the 33-year-old had failed to perform in the first four games of the series. Beau Webster is an all-rounder with over 5000 runs and 148 wickets in 96 First-Class appearances. 

India win the toss and opt to bat first in Sydney

Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and chose to bat first as a overcast and cloudy Sydney welcomed the two sides. The 31-year-old had led the side during the Perth Test match and had done the same after winning the toss. Pace bowler Akash Deep is missing the game owing to stiff back and Prasidh Krishna has been drafted in. 

Speaking at the toss, Bumrah said “We are looking to bat first. We have played some good cricket. The last match was exciting. The grass doesn't look spicy. We always have learnt to digest defeats. We will look forward to this. Our skipper has opted to rest. It shows the unity we have. We have two changes. Rohit has opted out and Prasidh comes in for the injured Akash Deep”

Pat Cummins said he would have batted first too had he won the toss. “We were looking to bat as well. But it is overcast and hopefully we will swing the ball early. Sell out in the first few days. Just kept replaying in our heads the last session. Feels like every summer gets bigger and bigger here in Australia. This week is always special. Just one change. Beau Webster is debuting in place of Mitchell Marsh”

India XI – KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna

Australia XI – Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland.