Former India wicketkeeper and BCCI official Saba Karim has expressed his disappointment over Rohit Sharma’s decision to sit out the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. because of his poor form against Australia.
Saba Karim believes that as captain, Rohit Sharma had the responsibility of leading the Indian cricket team through the entire five-match Test series in Australia, saying his decision to sit out the New Year Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney was not the right one.
Saba Karim criticizes Rohit Sharma for not taking responsibility in Sydney Test
India’s 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy debacle in Australia sparked a lot of debate, with Rohit’s form being the main talking point. Despite playing three matches, the experienced Indian batsman struggled with the bat, scoring just 31 runs at a low average of 6.20 in five innings.
His absence from the final Test in Sydney, where Jasprit Bumrah had to lead the Indian team, raised questions about his commitment to the team in difficult times after Australia won the final Test by six wickets to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in decade with a margin of 3-1.
Karim, who was previously the national selector and BCCI’s director general of cricket operations, said that a captain must take responsibility till the very end, even during difficult moments in his career, saying that every player faces difficult phases, but then real leadership needed.
I don’t think Rohit Sharma’s decision was right: Saba Karim
Saba Karim was quoted on the SportsNext YouTube channel as saying, “I don’t think Rohit Sharma’s decision is right. The selectors, the BCCI and the team management have given you the responsibility. So you have to take that responsibility to the end. Every player’s sports career has such stages in which to fight.”
Instead of stepping aside, Rohit Sharma should have set an example and shown his determination to fight through a difficult situation, feels the former Indian cricketer. Karim was particularly surprised that Rohit handed over the responsibility to Jasprit Bumrah, and even the team management agreed.
Karim feels that even if Rohit’s batting form is not the best, the Indian captain should have stayed on the field, leading his team through adversity and proving his worth not only as a captain but also as a batsman. He said that Rohit missed an opportunity to show leadership in this challenging time.
Saba Karim says Rohit Sharma should have led India through tough times in Australia
Saba Karim further remarked, “You have to show that your form may not be that good but you are still willing to work hard and he has been given the captaincy because he is an excellent batsman and it is his duty to keep himself forward on the ground when his team is not performing. so well and fight for them I was extremely surprised when Rohit took this decision.”
Lastly, Karim also expressed disappointment with several selection decisions made during the Test series. He was surprised by the changes made by Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir in the playing XI, saying the decisions did not help India. Karim signed off by saying that the constant failure of the top order was the biggest setback for India in the Australian tour.
