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Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has the power to take decisions in the best interest of Team India. On that basis, can’t he drop captain Rohit Sharma from the playing XI because of non-performance and make Jasprit Bumrah as captain of the team?
Sources told CricBlogger that murmurs are being heard within the corridors of BCCI that the team could take this extreme step to do something different and salvage some pride. Sources also suggested that the team management is also mulling to drop Rishabh Pant and make Dhruv Jurel play the Sydney Test while Shubman Gill may come into the playing XI in place of Rohit.
CricBlogger couldn’t confirm the move to drop Pant from the team management but Rohit is definitely not playing the fifth Test against Australia. At least, Rohit can sit out of the XI on his own for the team’s sake, isn’t? He has often spoken about team before self. Isn’t it time to walk the talk?
If Rohit can be dropped for not performing as expected, there is also a strong case to drop Pant.
Gambhir, or any Indian coach for that matter, doesn’t have absolute power over team selection or captaincy in isolation. The decision-making process is highly collaborative and involves the input of the captain, management, selectors, and the team’s leadership group. While Gambhir might have strong influence, it’s unlikely that he would act unilaterally. Even the selectors should cast their vote in favour of making Bumrah their captain for the last Test in Sydney. After all, if India won a Test in ongoing series, it was under Bumrah. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with it.
Rohit’s place in the team is based on his long track record of leadership and performances, and dropping him would be a major, controversial move. The selection committee and the team management often make such decisions after considering long-term stability and the bigger picture, rather than knee-jerk reactions to temporary slumps in form. Despite some underwhelming performances, Rohit brings a lot to the team in terms of experience, leadership, and the ability to turn things around. He’s also shown resilience and has often been key in big tournaments, even if he’s been going through a rough patch. But today, it’s a different situation. It’s a do-or-die situation.
As for Pant, while his inconsistency with the bat has been a concern, he also offers unique value in terms of wicket-keeping and aggressive play. Dropping a player like Pant would require a clear rationale, especially considering his performances in recent international cricket. Jurel, on the other hand, is a promising player, but such a move would require the team to think about the long-term strategy and where they see the balance of the squad heading.
The idea of rotating players based on form is certainly valid, but changes to such key positions typically happen with careful evaluation of a player’s mental state, confidence, and long-term potential. It’s also important to consider that Rohit and Pant are both players who have a significant track record and reputation built over years. Changing too much too quickly can often disrupt team morale, which is why such decisions are usually taken very cautiously.
While it’s tempting to drop underperforming players to send a strong message, it’s a high-risk strategy, especially when it involves established stars who are integral to the team’s balance.
