Mohammad Kaif Criticizes Rohit Sharma’s Exclusion from Sydney Test, Questions Selectors’ Decision

January 4, 2025

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has voiced his disapproval of the team management’s decision to leave out captain Rohit Sharma for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With India aiming to level the series and retain the prestigious trophy, Kaif believes Rohit’s absence weakens the side in this crucial match.

Rohit Sharma “Rested” Amid Poor Form

At the toss, stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah announced that Rohit would not be part of the playing XI. Officially, the decision was attributed to “rest,” but Kaif and many others have interpreted it as a tactical exclusion following Rohit’s lean patch with the bat. The Indian captain has managed only 31 runs across three Tests in the series, raising questions about his form.

Kaif Defends Rohit, Questions Selectors

Taking to social media, Kaif expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision, emphasizing Rohit’s stature as a leader and his contributions to Indian cricket. “Rohit Sharma is not just any captain who can be rested or dropped. He is a respectful leader who has built this team, backed young players, and brought India success, including the T20 World Cup victory six months ago. Dropping him for such an important match is wrong,” Kaif asserted.

Kohli and Others Also Struggling for Runs

Kaif didn’t shy away from pointing out that Rohit isn’t the only senior player struggling in the series. While Rohit’s form has been disappointing, Virat Kohli, too, has been inconsistent, apart from a century in the Perth Test. Kaif also highlighted that several other players, including Usman Khawaja, have found it challenging to score runs on seaming tracks throughout the series.

“These pitches have been fast and bouncy, making batting difficult for everyone. Runs are hard to come by for most players, not just Rohit. In my opinion, you don’t drop the captain. You win with the captain, and you lose with the captain. Rohit Sharma should have been there, leading the team and opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal,” Kaif added.

Reports Suggest Rohit’s Test Career May Be Over

Speculation has been rife that this series might mark the end of Rohit’s Test career. According to reports, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are looking to transition to a younger core, signaling a possible end to Rohit’s red-ball journey.

A Leader Worth Retaining

Kaif concluded by emphasizing Rohit’s value as a captain and his ability to inspire the team. “Rohit has brought immense joy to Indian cricket. A captain of his caliber should not be dropped for a crucial match like this. I wanted to see him lead the team to victory in Sydney and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” he stated.

While the decision to exclude Rohit Sharma continues to spark debate, it highlights the challenges of balancing team performance with the careers of senior players in a highly competitive environment.