India stumbles to 57-3 at lunch on Day 1 of the fifth Test against Australia

Jasprit Bumrah took over as captain in lieu of Rohit Sharma, who was conspicuously absent after being “rested” following a string of poor scores.

Bumrah, the stand-in captain, said, “Our captain has demonstrated leadership by opting for rest in this game. It reflects the strong sense of unity within the team. There is no selfishness.”

According to the sources , on New Year’s Day, the Indian cricket team’s players received an invitation to an official event hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a government facility with a view of Sydney Harbor. At the last minute, Rohit withdrew from his scheduled speech.

Rohit Sharma’s exclusion from India’s playing XI in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia could mark a significant turning point in Indian cricket. Following a string of disappointing performances, Sharma chose to sit out the Sydney Test, potentially signaling the start of a new phase for the team.

With a thrilling victory over Pakistan at home last weekend, South Africa became the first side to earn a spot in the WTC final at Lord’s in June. India dismisses captain Sharma.

India got off to a great start in the series, winning the first Test in Perth by a thumping 295 runs under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah while Rohit Sharma was on paternity leave. They lost badly by 10 wickets in the second Test match in Adelaide, though, as their momentum faltered. 

The series continued with a rain-affected draw at the third Test in Brisbane. However, Australia recovered well in Melbourne, winning by a commanding 184 runs to regain the series lead.

On the opening day of the fifth Test match against Australia, India got off to a difficult start. The first to leave was KL Rahul, who chipped a Mitchell Starc delivery to square leg after only making 4 runs.

Soon after, rookie Beau Webster scored 10 runs when Yashasvi Jaiswal edged a ball from Scott Boland to third slip to reduce the tourists to a shaky 17-2. 

Steve Smith claimed a low catch as Virat Kohli edged another delivery from Boland to second slip, causing some drama. 

The third umpire reviewed the evidence and declared it inconclusive, allowing Kohli to continue. Shubman Gill scored twenty more runs just before noon before he was caught at slip by Nathan Lyon. 

India was 57-3 during the lunch break, and Kohli was undefeated on 12.

Shubman Gill might make a comeback at number three in India’s batting order overhaul. Gambhir has criticized wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s shot selection and may instead choose to field Dhruv Jurel. During practice, Pant was observed talking to vice-captain Bumrah, suggesting that they were discussing his role. 

With a 2-1 series lead, Australia is intent on winning or drawing this game in order to capture the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014–15.Gambhir is still hopeful about winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in spite of the difficulties. “I am extremely confident,” he declared.