BGT: Pant Describes Rohit's Absence as Emotional Leadership Decision
Click to start listening
Sydney, Jan 3 (NationPress) With rumors suggesting that Rohit Sharma has potentially participated in his last Test for the Indian national squad, and the captain having chosen to rest during the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant characterized the move as an emotional choice.
“It was an emotional choice because he’s been the captain for an extended period. We view him as the team leader. There are certain decisions you are not part of; it was a decision made by management, and I wasn’t included in that discussion, so I can’t elaborate further,” Pant stated at the end-of-day press conference.
Rohit has recorded an average of just 6.2 across the three Tests he participated in against Australia, with his highest score being only 10. Speculation about his absence in Sydney arose after head coach Gautam Gambhir declined to confirm him as a certain starter during the pre-match media briefing.
Sharma's choice to sit out allowed vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah to take command of the Indian team in a critical match for the series. The 27-year-old emphasized the Indian spearhead’s optimistic outlook on the game.
“The message from Bumrah is to maintain a positive mindset continuously, don’t dwell on past events, and simply give your utmost on the field. That’s the essence of what you desire from your captain, to stay in a positive frame of mind and drive the game forward every single day,” he added.
Pant emerged as India’s leading scorer on Day 1, amassing 40 runs off 98 balls, featuring three boundaries and one six. Pant’s dismissal led to a late collapse, with Nitish Kumar Reddy being caught at slips on the very next ball. The wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar soon followed, but a significant controversy arose regarding the latter’s dismissal.
Sundar was ruled out caught behind off Australian captain Pat Cummins. Initially, the on-field umpire, Saikat Sharfuddoula, ruled Sundar not out, but Australia opted for a review.
Umpire Joel Wilson spent substantial time reviewing the replays to ascertain if Sundar had made contact with the short-pitched delivery. The Snickometer indicated a spike as the ball neared Sundar’s glove, yet the visuals brought forth questions. One frame seemed to show no spike when the ball was nearest the glove, while the following frame captured a spike.
Pant remarked that there isn’t much to say about the decision but called for improved use of technology to deliver definitive outcomes.
“There’s not much to express since technology is an aspect beyond a cricketer’s control. I believe any decision made on the field should remain with the on-field umpire, unless it’s so definitive that it warrants a change. Ultimately, it’s the umpire’s call, and I can’t challenge it every time, but the technology could definitely be enhanced,” he stated.
