The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has taken an unexpected turn with not featuring in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Rohit is technically the first Indian captain to be dropped during an ongoing bilateral series, marking a rare and dramatic moment in Indian cricket history.
While such decisions are uncommon, cricket has seen instances where captains have been excluded from the playing XI mid-series due to form or strategic reasons. Here’s a look at notable instances where captains faced the same fate:
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- Mike Denness (England, 1974-75 Ashes)
Mike Denness opted out of the playing XI in the fourth Test of the Ashes series after struggling with form. John Edrich replaced him as captain for the match. - Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka, 2012)
Dinesh Chandimal stepped down during the ICC T20 World Cup after failing to deliver with the bat. Lasith Malinga assumed captaincy duties and led Sri Lanka to a historic win in the tournament, including a memorable final victory against India. - Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan, 2014)
Misbah-ul-Haq dropped himself during the third ODI against Australia in 2014 after a string of poor performances. Shahid Afridi took over as captain, with Pakistan trying to revive their campaign.
- Mike Denness (England, 1974-75 Ashes)
Rohit’s exclusion reportedly comes after a dismal run in the series, where he managed just 31 runs across five innings at an average of 6.20. The Indian team management appears to have made the decision in the best interest of the side, particularly as they aim to level the series 2-2 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah.
The decision also raises questions about Rohit’s future in Test cricket. With the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle nearing its conclusion and India’s chances of making the final looking slim, this could potentially be Rohit’s last appearance in the format.
