Rohit Sharma Opts Out: Mark Taylor Takes Dig At India, Says 'They Won't Admit He's Dropped'- WATCH

Add as a preferred source on Google

Rohit Sharma's decision to rest for the Sydney Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy comes at a critical juncture for Team India. The match is a must-win scenario to keep India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final alive.

A defeat here would eliminate India from contention, marking their first failure to qualify for the WTC final since the tournament's inception.

Rohit's poor form in the series, with only 31 runs in three Tests, has been a key talking point. His struggles have raised questions about his place in the Test setup, especially with the team entering a new WTC cycle starting from the upcoming England tour.

Soon after 'opting' him out to rest, former Australian star Mark Taylor took a dig at the Indian team.

Taylor opined that it's not opting out to rest but it's actually dropping oneself, something the Gautam Gambhir-coached team will not 'admit'.

'I tried to do that Triple M, but the bosses made me work today. To be honest, it's side stepping the point. The captain of a country doesn't opt out, that too in a final deciding Test match of a series. He's been dropped, I don't know why they don't say it. It doesn't mean he's dropped forever but is missing this Test match due to bad form. That's not a crime but that's what professional sport is all about', he said.

Here's a look at the video.

Rohit's current role in Indian cricket is undergoing significant transitions. While he continues to captain the ODI side and has been confirmed to lead India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, his Test career appears uncertain, especially following his struggles in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Having retired from T20Is after successfully leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit seems to be focusing on the shorter formats of the game. This strategic shift might also reflect the team management's intent to manage his workload, given his age and the rigors of international cricket across formats.

What's Next For Rohit Sharma?

An official decision on Rohit's Test career, however, is yet to be announced. It is likely that clarity will emerge either after the 2025 Champions Trophy or when the squad for the England Test series is unveiled. Until then, his Test future remains speculative, but his diminishing returns in the format and the team's potential transition phase suggest that his time in the whites might be nearing its end.