Rohit Sharma opts to 'rest' for Sydney Test: Ravi Shastri hints retirement, Sanjay Manjrekar demands clarity

Rohit Sharma opts to 'rest' for Sydney Test (AP Photo)

The speculations came to an end as Jasprit Bumrah walked up for the toss at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday morning and informed regular skipper Rohit Sharma has opted to "rest" for the final Test between India and Australia. Shubman Gill, who missed the previous encounter, comes in as Rohit's replacement with India making two changes in their playing XI.

It was highly speculated that Rohit won't be part of the match on Thursday afternoon and prior to that many experts had expressed to see the captain to sit-out after a series of low scores on this tour. Rohit had missed out on the series opener in Perth and occupied the number six spot in the next two encounters in Adelaide and Brisbane. The Indian skipper failed to get going lower down the order and managed to score 3, 6, and 10 in the three innings he played respectively.

The next encounter in Melbourne saw the skipper return to his original position as an opener but he once again failed to get going and managed to score 3 and 9 in both innings, making life tougher for the 37-year-old.

The massive move saw ex-India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri weigh-in, who felt it was "brave" by Rohit to "own up" and "take the bench" for the team. "That's what Jasprit said at the toss before I could even ask him. He said the captain opted to sit out and said the team would be stronger if Shubman Gill plays. It can happen when you're out of sorts, you're mentally not there, you don't have the runs under your belt. It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, you know, I'm prepared to take the bench in this game," said Shastri on Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He then hinted another retirement loading, which could be announced after the encounter at the SCG. "If there was a home season coming up, he might have thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test. He's not getting younger, he's 38 years of age. It's not that India don't have youngsters, there are some very, very good players in the wings, and it's time to build. It's a tough decision, but there's a time for everything," the ex-India coach added.

Sanjay Manjrekar, on the other hand, asked for more clarity on the matter, urging fans need an explanation behind the omission. "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? I don't understand this cloak and dagger that is there in Indian cricket," said Manjrekar on Star Sports.

"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," he added.