There are evident issues within the Indian dressing room. Head coach Gautam Gambhir attempted to downplay these concerns during the pre-match press conference prior to the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which is set to commence on Friday. However, his responses not only seemed to validate existing reports but also sparked further speculation. When pressed by Australian journalists regarding the inclusion of captain Rohit Sharma in India's lineup for the series finale, Gambhir remained non-committal.

Gambhir's spirited demeanor was apparent when an Australian reporter inquired about Rohit's absence from the customary pre-match interaction. The reporter asked, "Can you confirm the playing eleven?" Gambhir's reply was ambiguous concerning the final team selection.

"Everything is fine with Rohit, and I don't believe there is anything traditional about this. The head coach is present, and that should suffice," he stated. "We will finalize the playing XI after assessing the pitch," he continued.

When the question was reiterated, his response became more curt. "The answer remains unchanged."

The pre-match press conference was not the only occasion where Gambhir defended Rohit Sharma. According to a report from The Times, the Indian captain also withdrew from delivering a speech in front of the Australian Prime Minister, despite being present at the event.

"The last-minute decision by Rohit to forgo speaking at an official function with the Australian Prime Minister on New Year’s Day further indicates that all may not be well. Although Rohit was in attendance, coach Gautam Gambhir delivered the speech without any official explanation," the report noted.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engaged with the cricket teams of India and Australia on Wednesday ahead of the crucial fifth Test, commending pacer Jasprit Bumrah for his outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit's spot in danger?

What discussions have taken place between him, Rohit, and Virat Kohli, particularly regarding their dismissals outside the off-stump that continue to impact the team's performance?

"There has been only one discussion, which centers on how to secure victories for India. We all recognize the significance of this," he stated.

Nonetheless, Gambhir expressed his disapproval of public discussions regarding dressing room debates.

"Conversations between coaches and players should remain private. This sport is results-oriented, and discussions among individuals ought to stay within the confines of the dressing room," he emphasized.

Rohit is currently experiencing one of the most challenging periods of his batting career. Last year, he recorded an average of merely 24.52 across 19 innings, achieving only one century and one half-century, which has resulted in his drop to 40th place in the ICC Test batting rankings. Excluding the England series at the beginning of 2024, Rohit's average further declines to 11.

India's subpar performance in the longest format is also detrimental to his situation. Under Rohit's captaincy, India has lost five out of six Tests and drawn one. Notably, three of these losses occurred during an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand on home soil.

The sole Test victory during this period was achieved under the leadership of stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah.

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