Amid increasing speculation regarding Rohit Sharma's future in Test cricket and the possibility of his retirement following the conclusion of the fifth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Sydney, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has come to the defence of the Indian captain. He asserted that Rohit has the right to conclude his career on his own terms.

In an interview with ESPN, Clarke acknowledged that while Rohit's statistics may not be impressive, as the captain of the Indian team, he is entitled to make decisions about his future. Consequently, Clarke suggested that head coach Gautam Gambhir is unlikely to exclude Rohit from the lineup for the upcoming fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which is set to commence in two days.

"The statistics are noteworthy. This situation occurs with many players. For some, captaincy is beneficial; for others, it is not. I firmly believe he will participate in Sydney. They will not drop him. Rohit has certainly earned the right to make his own decisions, and as captain, he is afforded some leeway. Although the statistics are not favorable, I cannot say if Sydney will be his final match. I am uncertain about his thoughts on Test cricket or how he feels about the captaincy," he stated.

Rohit has faced significant criticism due to his poor performance since September, having accumulated only 164 runs over three series at a dismal average of just above 10. The scrutiny intensified during the recently concluded Melbourne Test, where he opted to return as an opener after previously batting at No. 6 in Adelaide and Brisbane. This decision necessitated that the struggling KL Rahul bat at No. 3, while Shubman Gill was omitted from the lineup. Unfortunately, Rohit's misfortunes persisted, leading to further speculation regarding his participation in the fifth Test.

Disturbing details regarding Jasprit Bumrah have come to light

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, who was also a member of the panel, concurred with Clarke regarding Rohit's participation at the SCG. However, he pointed out a concerning observation: India appeared more composed under Jasprit Bumrah's leadership in Perth, where they secured a decisive victory, compared to their performance under Rohit.

"He will certainly play. What concerns me is how effectively they performed under Bumrah's captaincy in Perth. Since Rohit's return, the team has seemed somewhat disorganized. Nevertheless, he remains an exceptional player, and I hope he scores runs," he remarked.

Amidst ongoing speculation regarding Rohit, it is anticipated that Bumrah, the vice-captain, will assume the captaincy role in the near future.

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