Former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri believe the Boxing Day Test could have marked Rohit Sharma’s final appearance in Test cricket, following his decision to rest himself for the series finale that began on Friday.
The 37-year-old opted to sit out with the series on the line, having managed just 31 runs across five innings in three Tests. Gavaskar, speaking during the lunch break on day one, suggested that if India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the Melbourne Test would likely have been Rohit’s last.
"I think it probably means that (if) India don't qualify for the WTC final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma's last game," Gavaskar said. "The WTC cycle will start with the England series, and the selectors would likely want someone available for the 2027 final. Whether India gets there or not is another matter, but that is what the selection committee is likely to do."
“We have probably seen Rohit Sharma for the last time in Test cricket," he added.
Shastri echoed this sentiment, predicting that Rohit would “pull the plug” on his Test career after the series.
"At the toss, Jasprit [Bumrah] mentioned it before I could ask," Shastri said during commentary. "He said the captain opted to sit out and said the team would be stronger if Shubman Gill plays."
“It can happen when you're out of sorts, you're mentally not there, you don't have the runs under your belt. It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, 'I'm prepared to take the bench in this game,’" Shastri added.
Rohit has faced a difficult period in Test cricket, managing to pass the 20-run mark only twice in his last eight matches.
Also read: Rohit steps aside, Bumrah to guide India in Sydney BGT showdown
With India trailing 1-2 in the series, they must win the final Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have held for a decade, and remain in contention for a place in the WTC final against South Africa.
Should India fail to qualify, their next Test series will be a tour of England starting mid-June.
“If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test. He’s not getting younger … it’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it’s time to build,” Shastri said.
“Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything,” Shastri added.
At the toss, stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah said: “Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game.”
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Rohit’s team-first mindset but criticised the lack of clarity surrounding the decision.
“So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss,” Manjrekar wrote on X.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor, however, offered a different perspective, suggesting that a captain does not “opt out” of a series-deciding Test and claimed Rohit had been dropped due to his poor form.
“That’s once again sidestepping the point. The bottom line is the captain of a country doesn’t opt out for the final Test match of a series, a final-deciding
Test match,” Taylor said on 'Triple M Cricket.'
“There is no doubt he’s been dropped. They just don’t say it. It doesn’t mean he’s dropped forever. It means he’s missing this Test because he’s been out of form. It’s not a crime, that’s unfortunately professional sport,” he added.
After India’s loss in the Boxing Day Test earlier this week, Rohit admitted that his poor form had been "mentally disturbing," stating it’s frustrating "when you can't do what you have come to do."
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