SYDNEY — India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, declined to confirm whether captain Rohit Sharma will play in the fifth Test against Australia, stating that the team lineup would be announced only at the toss on Friday.
Sharma’s form has been under scrutiny during the ongoing five-match series, with India trailing 2-1 after a loss in Melbourne earlier this week. The skipper has struggled to make an impact with the bat, fueling speculation about his place in the team.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, Gambhir addressed questions about Sharma’s availability but offered little clarity.
“Everything is fine with Rohit, and I don’t think there’s anything traditional about this,” Gambhir told reporters when asked why he was addressing the media instead of the captain. “The head coach is here, and that should be fine, that should be good enough. We’re going to have a look at the wicket and finalize the team tomorrow.”
Non-committal on Rohit’s inclusion
When pressed specifically on whether Sharma would be included in the playing XI, Gambhir remained non-committal. “As I just said, we’re going to have a look at the wicket and probably announce the playing XI tomorrow,” he said. “So the answer remains the same.”
Gambhir confirmed that pace bowler Akash Deep would miss the match due to a back injury but dismissed media reports claiming he had chastised the team after their defeat in Melbourne.
“Those are just reports,” he said. “That’s not the truth, and I don’t think I need to answer to any reports. There were some honest words, that’s all I can say. Honesty is extremely important if you want to go on to do great things.”
Focus on winning the match
The coach emphasized the importance of honesty within the team but said no discussions had been held with Sharma or former captain Virat Kohli regarding their roles in the team’s future.
“The only conversation was how we can win the next Test match,” Gambhir said. “No other conversation has taken place because we know how important this Test is.”
Despite the mounting pressure, Gambhir expressed confidence in India’s ability to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have held for the past four series. A victory would also keep India’s hopes alive for a spot in the World Test Championship final later this year.
“Extremely, extremely confident,” Gambhir said. “We’ve got the skill set, we’ve got the individuals. We’ve got everything in that dressing room that can win a Test match here—not only here, but probably go on to do some unbelievable things in the future as well.”
Australia needs only a draw in Sydney to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a contest India has dominated in recent years. The fifth Test is shaping up as a decisive moment in a series marked by high stakes and shifting fortunes.
(This report includes information from Reuters.)
