Rohit Sharma’s decision to opt out reflects strong leadership and unity in the side, says Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah praises Rohit Sharma’s decision to opt out, highlighting the strong leadership and unity within the Indian team ahead of the final Test against Australia.

New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah called Rohit’s decision to “opt to rest” one of the positives for the Indian team. Bumrah took Rohit’s place for the toss in the final Test match in Sydney, as Rohit had struggled with the bat, averaging in single digits throughout the ongoing series.

For the final Test, India made the extraordinary decision to replace their captain, even though the series was not quite lost yet. As a result of Rohit being left out, Shubman Gill, who had missed out in Melbourne, returned to the playing eleven. The indications that Rohit would miss out were an open secret, with head coach Gautam Gambhir refusing to confirm the captain’s availability on the eve of the match.

Bumrah, at the toss, was not asked about the reason for the change by Ravi Shastri but mentioned that the spirits were “positive” in the dressing room.

“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,” said Bumrah, who had led the team to victory in Perth when Rohit had missed out earlier in the series due to the birth of his second child.

“Obviously, our captain [Rohit Sharma] 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,” he said.

India went into the match trailing 2-1 but with a chance to square the series and thereby retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia handed a Test debut to Beau Webster for the New Year’s Test against India in Sydney, replacing the out-of-form Mitchell Marsh. It was the only change to the team, which had taken a 2-1 lead in Melbourne, with Mitchell Starc declared fit despite rib soreness during the Boxing Day Test.

Marsh had a tough series, with no double-digit scores in his last five innings and only 33 overs bowled. “Mitchy obviously hadn’t quite got the runs, and perhaps wickets that series,” said Cummins. “We felt like it was time for a freshen up, and Beau had been great.”

Webster, a Tasmanian all-rounder, had an impressive first-class record, averaging 57.1 and taking 81 wickets at 31.7. Last year, he became the first player since Sir Garfield Sobers to score 900 runs and take 30 wickets in a Sheffield Shield season.

“Really excited for Beau; Mitchy is supportive,” added Cummins. “We love having a squad we can call on.”