Former Indian wicketkeeper and BCCI official Saba Karim has expressed his disappointment over Rohit Sharma’s decision to stand down from the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 due to his poor form against Australia.
Saba Karim believes that as captain, Rohit Sharma had a responsibility to lead the Indian cricket team throughout the entire five-match Test series in Australia, saying his decision to opt out of the New Year’s 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 debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia has sparked plenty of debate, with Rohit’s form being a major talking point. Despite playing three matches, the seasoned Indian batter struggled with the bat, scoring only 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 Team India, has raised questions about his commitment to the team in tough times after Australia won the final Test by six wickets to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade with a 3-1 margin.
Karim, who previously served as the national selector and BCCI General Manager for Cricket Operations, stated that a captain must take responsibility until the very end, even during difficult patches in their career, saying every player faces tough phases, but that’s when true leadership is needed.
I don’t consider Rohit Sharma’s decision right: Saba Karim
Saba Karim was quoted as saying by YouTube channel SportsNext: “I don’t consider Rohit Sharma’s decision right. The selectors, the BCCI, and the team management had given you a responsibility. So, you have to take that responsibility till the end. Every player’s sporting career has such phases where you need to fight.”
Instead of stepping aside, Rohit Sharma should have led by example and shown his determination to fight through a rough patch, according to the former Indian cricketer. Karim was especially surprised that Rohit handed the responsibility to Jasprit Bumrah, and even the team management agreed.
Karim feels that even if Rohit’s batting form was not at its best, the India skipper should have stayed on the field, leading his team through adversity and proving his worth not only as a captain but as a fighter. He said Rohit missed the 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 noted, “You have to show that your form might not be that good, but you are still ready to work hard, and that he has been given captaincy because he is an excellent batter and it’s his duty to keep himself at the front on the ground when his team is not performing that well and fight for them. I was extremely surprised when Rohit took this decision.”
In the end, Karim has also expressed disappointment with several selection decisions made throughout the Test series. He was surprised by the changes made by Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir in the playing XI, saying those decisions didn’t help India’s cause. Karim signed off by saying that the consistent failure of the top order was the biggest setback for India on the Australia tour.