Unpacking Rohit Sharma's omission from SCG Test

In a recent conversation with an acquaintance, Gautam Gambhir believed to have reflected on the challenges of coaching a national team compared to an IPL side. He would highlight the complexities involved, such as managing star players, coordinating with the selection committee, dealing with its chairman, navigating the apex body, and above all working with the captain and his principles of leadership. Gambhir would go on to dwell how these layers create obstacles in the decision-making process. In contrast, he would note that coaching in the IPL is relatively straightforward, with fewer hierarchical barriers. After the recent MCG Test, some of these layers might have vanished.

It is now evident that in the matter of Rohit Sharma, Gambhir has had the last word. The captain's absence from the ongoing Sydney Test appears to validate the coach's reported stance. Just a day before the Test began, the coach would not guarantee Rohit a spot in the playing XI. While it is often said that the captain is the boss in cricket, one cannot be sure if that was the case in this instance.

It is clear that conversations have happened over Rohit's prolonged lean patch and more than one India player confirmed this on Friday, the first day of the fifth and final Test against Australia. "There are some decisions that you are not involved in, they are management's calls. So, I was not part of that conversation. I can't explain more than that," said Rishabh Pant. "It was an emotional decision because he has been captain for a long time. We see him as a leader of the team."

Jasprit Bumrah, who stood in for Rohit, was more discreet and circumspect. "Yeah, the chat was pretty good. We're trying to keep the spirits positive and obviously trying to keep the positives in mind and keep the learnings as well. Obviously, our captain has shown his leadership as well. He's opted to rest in this game. So that shows that there's a lot of unity in our team. There's no selfishness. Whatever is in the team's best interest, we're looking to do that." There was no giveaway from the stand-in skipper but it is not difficult to read between the lines.

While the decision to exclude Rohit from the SCG XI seems a right call, given his string of poor scores in recent Test matches, differing versions have emerged about the circumstances leading to his omission. One theory suggests it was a voluntary decision by Rohit, while another claims it was imposed on him. Recent media reports further fuel the second narrative, hinting that Gambhir had grown increasingly frustrated with the situation. In a must-win situation, he swung into action.

Within the Indian cricket ecosystem, there is a talk that while Rohit and Gambhir have agreed to co-exist professionally in the team setup, they may not have exactly been on the same page on many a decision. In most cases, it was Rohit who would have the last word, leaving Gambhir with limited influence. The personal chemistry between them also lacked the warmth that marked Rohit's relationship with Gambhir's predecessor, Rahul Dravid. The camaraderie and public displays of appreciation that Rohit shared with Dravid were conspicuously absent with Gambhir. Unlikely there would be too many instances in one's memory when Rohit would exactly have heaped praise on Gambhir publicly. There were no rifts but no great bond either.

Coming to the present, it is clear that the decision-making process involved more than just Rohit and Gambhir. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar played a significant role, alongside the ultimate authority - the regulator (the Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI). It's almost inconceivable that a captain could be dropped without the BCCI's approval. It is apparent that the BCCI appears to have sided with the coach in this instance.

Interestingly enough, this juxtaposes with the last major captain-coach standoff -- between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble, where the BCCI backed the captain. However, that was a different era, with a different set of decision-makers (COA), and Kohli was in an unstoppable batting form at the time. Rohit did not help his cause with his form. What's becoming evident now is that Gambhir seems to have secured his position for the long haul, with recent defeats unlikely to affect his tenure anytime soon.

The obvious question now is, what does the future hold for Rohit? Will he remain part of the red-ball setup at all? A close confidant of Rohit mentioned that much will depend on the outcome of the ongoing Test and whether he still has the stomach for Test cricket. On Friday, Rohit gave no indication of what was in his mind. Throughout the day, he appeared engaged in the proceedings of the Test match, and during the post-lunch session, he spent some time in the SCG nets practising with Tanush Kotian. While there is no clear sign that he will play Tests after the BGT, there's also no indication that he won't. Sources suggest that the selectors are likely to meet with him at some point to discuss his future plans, as reported previously by Cricbuzz.

Rohit, however, will continue to be a key figure in white-ball cricket, particularly in one-day internationals. He has of course retired from T20Is but he is expected to play the three ODIs against England in January-February, as well as the upcoming Champions Trophy. Interestingly, Rohit's future with the Indian team could influence the positions of certain coaching staff members. Should Rohit decide to retire from the game, it would not be a surprise if the futures of a couple of coaching staff members come into question as well.