Fall and Rise

Captain Rohit Sharma’s test career in limbo

D. Gukesh youngest Khel Ratna

Sydney: The question was simple. Will Rohit Sharma play in the fifth and final Test against Australia?

Had Sharma's position been secure, the answer should have been "Yes." Yet, India head coach Gautam Gambhir's response at a pre-match press conference was: "We will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch."

The ambiguous response, equal parts intriguing and dramatic, naturally sparked speculation that the out-of-form skipper was no longer sure of his place in the playing XI.

Within few hours, it swirled into near confirmation that the 37-year-old Rohit is set to become the first serving Indian captain who would be dropped for poor form. And it all began with one line.

Gambhir's reply summed up the tour for Rohit, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child.

Ever since he landed Down Under, Rohit the batter has been battered by extra bounce and seam movement and Rohit the skipper has been left bruised by the scathing criticism of his leadership.

And as the tour draws to a close, his career as a Test cricketer seems headed for a dispiriting climax.

Rohit, just like in Melbourne, was last among recognised batters to enter the nets, and if he is dropped he would have no one to blame except the abysmal return of 31 runs from five innings.

If the expected happens, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the team's top performer with an astonishing 30 wickets in four outings at a sub-20 average, will take over the leadership role. It was under Bumrah's captaincy that India won its only Test on the tour so far - the lung-opener in Perth.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anil Kumble walked into Test retirements mid-series as their bodies could no longer take the rigours of the longest format.

However, in Rohit's case, he will be dropped on the basis of form after Gambhir made it clear that performance is the only thing that would keep a player in the dressing room helmed by him.

If he doesn't come out for toss on Friday, it would be safe to conclude that Rohit played his last knock at the MCG earlier this week where he looked completely out of place on a good track.

While Gambhir didn't spell out the playing eleven, there were enough indications that India might bring back Shubman Gill at number three.

"Indian cricket's transition is in safe hands as long as there are honest people in the dressing room. Only criteria to be in that dressing room is performance," Gambhir said at the pre-match press conference.

Trailing 1-2, a win for Australia will seal their place in the final at the Lord's against South Africa in the World Test Championship.

India, on other hand, not only require a win but also need Sri Lanka to not lose any of their two Tests at home against Pat Cummins' men to qualify for the WTC finals.

The visitors aren't looking like a team at ease right now, especially Rohit, who is caught between a rock and a hard place both as skipper and batter.

He may or may not announce retirement but playing the traditional format after Sydney looks a long shot.

Add to this the murmurs of dissension in the team that could have a bearing on how the players perform.

The implosion started with Ravichandran Ashwin retiring and going back home midway through the series and Rohit's poor form has certainly made him lose a bit of command.

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New Delhi: Double Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh were among four winners of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award announced by the Sports Ministry, which also named an unprecedented 17 para-athletes in the list of 32 Arjuna awardees to honour their resounding success at the Paris Paralympics.

Gukesh on Thursday promised his "best moves on 64 square and outside" in future as well after being chosen for the prestigious 'Khel Ratna' award by the government.

Gukesh recently became the youngest-ever world champion when he defeated China's Ding Liren. He is only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the title.

"Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, I am truly grateful and feel humbled to receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Your words and guidance have always inspired me to strive for excellence and make the nation proud," Gukesh wrote on X.

"I promise to continue delivering my best moves on 64 squares and outside of it. Thank you Hon. Sports Minister @mansukhmandviya Ji for your constant support."

He had become the challenger for the world title after winning the Candidates Tournament earlier in 2023 when he was 17.

The Chennai-based Gukesh had also become the top-ranked player from India last year to end Anand's 37-year run.