Storm Before The Biggest Test

On a rollercoaster day where the head coach's interaction increased speculations instead of dousing the fire and led to more uncertainties

- Somesh S

HEN India head coach Gautam Gambhir walked into the press conference room at the Sydney Cricket Ground Thursday afternoon, it looked like an opportunity to put a lot of speculation to rest. Instead, by the time he was done with his media interaction on the eve of the fifth and final Test between India and Australia, he had left them with more speculation by not confirming Rohit Sharma's place in the playing XI.

As things stand, Sharma will take part in the Sydney Test with Shubman Gill walking into his No. 3 spot after being ruled out of the Boxing Day Test. Sharma has been out of form, managing just 31 runs in five innings at a 6.2 average on this tour. With him losing two of the three Tests he captained, pressure was mounting on the team.

In the lead-up to the Sydney Test, there had been multiple reports and speculations about tension building within the Indian camp after the loss in Melbourne. India had conceded a draw after having a good chance of winning the match heading into the final session on day five. Since then, Gambhir has reportedly spoken sternly with the team and players. Inevitably, as the press pack waited for an interaction with the Indian contingent, there were questions and murmurs doing the rounds on who's going to come in and whether Sharma would be dropped. As Gambhir, who had addressed the media since arriving in Australia, walked in, it seemed like there would be answers for a lot of questions and what is a must-win game for India.