Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma’s Absence: "What’s Happening in Indian Cricket?"

Rohit Sharma’s absence from the fifth Test at Sydney has sparked widespread surprise and speculation, particularly given the high stakes of the match. The Indian captain’s decision to rest in a do-or-die game has led to questions about the reasoning behind this move. Reports suggest Sharma has been struggling with poor form recently, which might have influenced the decision to keep him out of the lineup.

Commentator Sanjay Manjrekar criticized the lack of clarity regarding the captain’s absence. “It is shocking that no details were sought about Rohit Sharma’s absence during the toss,” Manjrekar remarked, adding that former head coach Ravi Shastri’s silence on the matter was surprising.

Manjrekar expressed his dismay, questioning, “How can a team captain step aside in a series-deciding match under the pretext of rest? What is happening in Indian cricket?” He called the situation one of the most significant developments in Indian cricket this year and noted that the lack of discussion about it after the toss was puzzling.

Temporary skipper Jasprit Bumrah, who led the team for the toss, said, “Our captain is resting for this game, so I’ve had to take over. There is no selfishness here; we always prioritize what is best for the team.”

Manjrekar responded by pointing out the unusual nature of the decision, especially for a player of Sharma’s caliber. “Rohit Sharma is not an ordinary cricketer; he has achieved monumental victories for India. For such a player to make a tough decision before a crucial match is unfortunate. Fans deserve to know what happened. When Jasprit Bumrah came out for the toss, the first question in everyone’s mind was, ‘What happened to Rohit Sharma? Did he step aside voluntarily or was he dropped?’” Manjrekar stated during a Star Sports discussion.

He continued, “I believe Bumrah’s explanation, but will fans accept it? Rohit didn’t play the first Test of this series, nor did he participate in domestic cricket before the New Zealand series. If rest was necessary, it should have been taken after such a key match. For a captain to make this call is surprising.”

Manjrekar also questioned the secrecy surrounding the issue, saying, “Rohit is not an all-time great to keep his withdrawal a secret. If it were Virat Kohli, I might understand. But Rohit, with an average of just 40 in 60-plus Tests, should not have left fans guessing about the reason for his absence. It’s all very mysterious.”

According to Wisden, Manjrekar’s comments have fueled discussions about transparency in Indian cricket, with many seeking clear communication about such significant decisions.