January 2, 2025: In a surprising turn of events, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is expected to be left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney. Sources have informed India Today that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the team in Rohit's absence.

Rohit, who has been a mainstay in India's Test lineup, featuring in 67 Tests, may have already played his final match in whites for the national team. Sources suggest that unless the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intervenes and requests him to make one last appearance, his Test career could be drawing to a close. "The fourth Test in Melbourne may well have been Rohit’s last in Test cricket," one source mentioned. "Unless there's a last-minute call from the BCCI, this decision is unlikely to change."

In Rohit's absence, Shubman Gill is set to step in and bat at No. 3, while KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open the innings for India in the series finale.

Rohit's preparation ahead of the Sydney Test raised eyebrows when he made only a brief cameo appearance in the final training session. The captain was spotted engaging in discussions with coaches, including head coach Gautam Gambhir and Bumrah, rather than joining the first batch of players in net practice, which included Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit was also noticeably absent during the slip-catching drills and only arrived at the nets later, batting for about 10 minutes before having another chat with Gambhir and Bumrah in the stands.

Coach Gambhir declined to confirm Rohit's inclusion in the XI when addressing the press on the eve of the match. In an unusual move, Gambhir, rather than Rohit, addressed the media at the SCG. When asked about Rohit's status, Gambhir maintained a measured tone, saying, "Everything is fine with Rohit. I don’t think it’s a tradition. The head coach is here, and that should be fine. I’ll have a look at the wicket and finalize the XI tomorrow."

As the team gears up for what could be a pivotal match in the series, all eyes will be on the official announcement of India's playing XI, which will confirm whether this marks the end of an era for Rohit Sharma in Test cricket.