India are on the verge of sacking star player in move that will send shockwaves through the cricket world
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India captain Rohit Sharma appears on the verge of being axed for the fifth Test, sitting out slips training as coach Gautam Gambhir refused to guarantee his spot in the team. With India needing a win over Australia in Sydney to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit did not bat at training on match eve or partake in fielding practice.
![[Head coach Gautam Gambhir (pictured) refused to guarantee his spot in the team]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/02/07/93665501-14243067-image-a-2_1735803231056.jpg)
Desperately out of form and without a score above 10 in any of his five innings this series, Rohit's career now looks in jeopardy at age 37 and no more Tests for five months. India's coach Gambhir confirmed to the media on Thursday that quick Akash Deep would miss Friday's Test with a back injury, in one guaranteed change for Sydney.
![[Sharma has struggled for runs during this summer's series, having failed to register a score over 10 while amassing just 31 runs across five innings]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/02/07/93665551-14243067-image-a-3_1735803269561.jpg)
But asked directly whether embattled captain Rohit would play, Gambhir refused to answer directly. 'We are going to have a look at the wicket and announce our playing XI tomorrow,' Gambhir said. India captain Rohit Sharma (right) could be set to miss out on the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series this week.
![[India met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on New Year's Day, with Sharma mysteriously opting not to speak at the event]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/02/07/93665573-14243067-image-a-4_1735803440016.jpg)
Head coach Gautam Gambhir (pictured) refused to guarantee his spot in the team. Sharma has struggled for runs during this summer's series, having failed to register a score over 10 while amassing just 31 runs across five innings. Asked again if he could guarantee the opener's spot, Gambhir responded: 'The answer remains the same.'.
![[Akash Deep (pictured) will miss Friday's Test with a back injury, in one guaranteed change for Sydney]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/02/07/93665577-14243067-image-a-5_1735803518672.jpg)
Gambhir's appearance at the pre-match press conference also raised eyebrows, with each team captain usually fronting the media. However, India previously broke from that tradition this summer with Shubman Gill facing the media on the day before the Gabba Test.
![[Gambhir (right) has dismissed claims that fractions were appearing among his squad]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/02/07/93665587-14243067-image-a-6_1735803556586.jpg)
