In a rare and bold decision, India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma dropped himself from the playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The announcement surprised fans and experts when Jasprit Bumrah stepped out for the toss instead of Rohit.
Here’s a look at Rohit’s self-removal and three other international captains dropping themselves from the playing XI:
4. Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit’s decision to sit out the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 came after a series of underwhelming performances. In the three Tests he played, Rohit managed to score only 31 runs in five innings, which likely prompted his self-removal to allow Shubman Gill to step in. Notably, Rohit became the first Indian skipper to drop himself from the playing XI, marking a significant moment in Indian cricket history.
3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
In 2014, Pakistan’s ODI skipper Misbah-ul-Haq decided to drop himself during the series against Australia after facing sharp criticism for his lack of form. Misbah scored just 0 and 15 in the first two ODIs and subsequently opted out of the third and final match. Shahid Afridi took over as captain, but Pakistan lost the game and the series.
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2. Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka)
During the 2014 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s captain Dinesh Chandimal made a strategic decision to sit out the knockout games. This move allowed Lasith Malinga to lead the team, and the change proved successful as Sri Lanka defeated India in the final to clinch the trophy. Chandimal’s selfless decision remains one of the most discussed captaincy moves in T20 cricket.
1. Mike Denness (England)
England’s Mike Denness dropped himself during the 1974-75 Ashes series in Australia after struggling with form. England had already suffered heavy losses in the first two Tests and managed a draw in the third. Denness, short of runs, chose to step aside for the fourth Test, handing over the captaincy to Tony Greig. However, the move did not change England’s fortunes as they lost the match and eventually the series. Denness returned for the fifth Test but failed to turn things around.
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