Rohit Sharma was told he wasn't part of India's Test plans beyond Australia tour: Report

The Indian cricket team witnessed a generation-defining moment on Friday when Jasprit Bumrah walked out for the toss alongside fellow pacer Pat Cummins on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma, who had been under fire in recent months for his miserable run as batter as well as captain, decided to "opt out" of the series finale, effectively signalling the start of Bumrah's reign as the permanent Test captain.

Doubts over Rohit’s place in the XI grew after head coach Gautam Gambhir had refused to confirm his participation in the Sydney Test despite being categorically asked about it. According to a report on The Indian Express, however, Rohit was not going to be part of the Test setup beyond the Australian tour regardless of his participation in the fifth Test.

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The report adds that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had conveyed the message of his exclusion from India’s Test plans ahead of the Sydney Test. India’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship Final, for which South Africa have already qualified, appear slim at the moment. Rohit, however, would not have been in the scheme of things even if India defied all odds and qualified for the grand finale for the third consecutive time.

While they’ve already made their stance on Rohit’s Test future clear, the selectors are set to have a discussion with batting star Virat Kohli – who has also been having a miserable run in recent months barring a century in the first Test in Perth – after the five-Test series against Australia, the report adds.

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Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, however, is a favourite to remain part of the Test team going forward due to his all-round abilities as well as his excellent fielding skills.

Jadeja’s long-time spin partner, legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the first among the Indian seniors to bring his career to an end in the ongoing series by suddenly announcing his retirement from international cricket after the third Test in Brisbane.