Sidhu baffled by 'bizarre' absence of Rohit Sharma from Sydney Test, issues candid rant: 'Deserves greater respect'

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu, expressing his views on a video for his profile on social media platform X, was vocal in his unwavering support of Rohit Sharma. "I find it incredibly perplexing that the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, was excluded from the team today. It's truly astonishing, especially considering that this is unprecedented in the history of Indian cricket for the captain to be sidelined," Sidhu passionately stated.

The opener turned MLA and TV personality continued: “You just don’t make them the captain, but if you have, and that is such a great player who has served Indian cricket, then whether he is in good or bad form doesn’t matter. Captain is not an option, that he can just opt out, it sends the wrong signals,” explained Sidhu.

The end of the road for Rohit?

There have been whispers regarding the behind-the-scenes of Rohit Sharma’s non-involvement in the Indian team at the SCG, with Jasprit Bumrah stepping in as captain for the final match of the series. As per some reports, a clash of personalities between coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma could have been the foundation for a strained relationship within the leadership unit from the get-go.

“I think whether you sit him out, or give him the option, management cannot give this captain the option to sit,” continued Sidhu. “The captain, who has built the team, who awoke the faith, who always gave younger players a father figure and been honoured, I think a captain never de-links from his ship, even if it is a sinking ship. It’s a wrong decision,” he said emphatically.

Rohit stepped down, but the permanence of the move and whether he will try to break back into the Test team remains unclear. The Indian top order continued to struggle in Sydney, the top four combining for just 51 runs as the team were bowled out for 185.

Rohit was criticised for overseeing India’s first series defeat at home in 12 years, with the 3-o whitewash against New Zealand starting the downturn of his stocks, and three limp performances in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne leading to such a drastic step down under.

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