Rohit sits out, Bumrah lauds skipper's leadership

In an unprecedented turn of events, India skipper Rohit Sharma "opted to rest" himself from the fifth and final Test against Australia after a series of underwhelming performances, a move that put his future in doubt and evoked emotional responses from his successor Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.

- Agencies

SYDNEY:

Rohit on Friday "opted to rest" from the series finale, having scored only 31 runs across five innings in three Tests. He made way for Shubman Gill in the do-or-die game of the series.

Rohit's decision handed his deputy Bumrah the leadership role. Bumrah had captained the side in the series-opener as well when Rohit took a short paternity break. India won that match in Perth by 295 runs, their only victory on the tour so far.

"Our captain has shown leadership, he has opted to rest," said Bumrah at the toss.

"It shows the unity we have in the team," he added in front of a packed arena, trying to put an end to talks of dissension in the dressing room.

The day, however, ended with India struggling yet again, dismissed for 185 after opting to bat.

Pant top-scored with a restrained 98-ball 40 and once he was done talking about how much it took for him to curb his aggressive instincts, the chirpy wicketkeeper-batter was asked about his thoughts on Rohit and his unparalleled decision.