"Team India was hiding something": Rohit Sharma's absence from press conference irks former Australia captain

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed surprise over Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to skip the press conference ahead of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, head coach Gautam Gambhir took the lead in addressing the media the day before the Sydney Test, sparking speculation about Rohit’s position in the team.

Rohit was rested for the final Test, and the reasoning behind his absence was later clarified by the player himself in an interview with Star Sports on Day 2. He revealed that his poor batting form had led to the decision, while also assuring fans that he was not retiring from Test cricket, putting an end to rumors regarding his future in the format.

On the Around the Wicket podcast, Clarke shared his views on Rohit’s decision and his future in the game.

“Rohit expressed his thoughts clearly during his interview with Star Sports, but I find myself somewhat puzzled as to why he opted not to participate in the press conference the day prior the Test, which is generally expected of a captain. Instead, it was the coach who addressed the media. Perhaps they preferred to keep certain details under wraps until the coin toss,” Michael Clarke said.

“The final Test match leaves many more questions than answers, particularly regarding the events that unfolded behind closed doors in the Indian dressing room. There are still a lot of uncertainties. For example, I’m not sure why Rohit sat out of a Test match. Does that mean he’s retired from Test cricket, or is he simply taking a break?” asked Clarke.

Rohit Sharma replied to the Media Reports in Star Sports Interview. 😄🌟 pic.twitter.com/lVd4Aw5ju3 — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 4, 2025

Rohit was absent for the first match of the series due to the arrival of his second child but made his return for the next three fixtures. Unfortunately, his batting performances were underwhelming, as he scored only 31 runs from five innings, averaging a mere 6.20. As a result, India lost the series 1-3, handing Australia their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win since 2014-15.

Clarke raised questions about Rohit Sharma’s return to the Test team after his omission from the final Test in Sydney. The 37-year-old has struggled with form since September 2024, averaging under 11 across 15 Test innings, with just a single half-century to his name.

“India’s next challenge is a five-match Test series against England, where the conditions are notoriously tough for batters. Will Rohit return to first-class cricket to score runs? Will the selectors look at his performances in limited-overs cricket to bring him back into the Test team?” he questioned.

“I have many questions regarding Rohit’s decision. It’s admirable that he recognized he wasn’t in the best form to play, but what does this mean for Rohit Sharma’s future as the Indian Test captain?” Clarke concluded

Rohit’s leadership has faced criticism, as India have lost five of their last six Tests during his time as captain. India’s next challenge in the red-ball format will be a five-match series in England, scheduled to begin in June.

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