SYDNEY: With head coach Gautam Gambhir refusing to confirm whether Rohit Sharma will play in the fifth and final Test between India and Australia, speculations continue as to whether the Indian captain will take part in the match starting on Friday.
When asked a direct question about Sharma playing, Gambhir said: "We shall look at the pitch and take a call tomorrow." This remained his answer despite being pressed twice to confirm the same.
Sharma has been in poor form since arriving in Adelaide and has struggled to spend time in the middle. First, he pushed himself to the middle order and then opened the batting, but neither move paid dividends as the Indian captain averages a little over 6 on this tour.
As Gambhir finished his press conference, the head coach had a long chat with Jasprit Bumrah, who led India in Perth, while the team practiced. Rohit, after warming up, went back to the dressing room, while the rest hit the nets.
Sharma could be seen having a long chat with Washington Sundar and then with Bumrah and Shubman Gill, who was patted on the back by the head coach and vice-captain. Gill was left out for the Boxing Day Test and might be included in the playing XI for Sydney.
Should Sharma be left out, Rahul might open with Gill taking his usual No. 3 slot. Meanwhile, Akash Deep is ruled out of the Test due to a back spasm and left the venue shortly after arriving.
India trail 1-2 and need a win in Sydney to stay alive in contention for the World Test Championship final and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-2.