Gautam Gambhir silences Australian journalist questioning Rohit Sharma’s absence from press conference before Sydney Test, says, ‘head coach is here that should be good enough..’

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir pulled no punches while addressing the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of the fifth Test against Australia. The final Test between India and Australia is scheduled to start from January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Gautam Gambhir schools Australian journalist over 'Rohit Sharma' question

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir who showed up for the presser was asked by the Australian media as to why India captain Rohit Sharma didn't come to address the press. Replying to the question, Gambhir came up with a fiery remark and said that he doesn't think there is anything tradition about captain coming for conference and presence of head coach is sufficient.

"Everything is fine with Rohit Sharma. I don't think it's anything traditional, I think the Head Coach is here that should be fine and that should be good enough," Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference.

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The conversation didn't end there as Gambhir was then asked about Rohit's spot in India's playing XI for the Sydney Test to which the head coach remained evasive. Gambhir said the playing XI will be decided upon assessing the Sydney wicket on the match day.

"We will take the Playing XI call at the toss after looking at the pitch tomorrow," he added.

Meanwhile the suspense over Rohit's playing the last Test further grew after India's nets session. India's practice session further dropped a big hint on Rohit's possible exclusion from the final Test in Sydney. Rohit was not part of the potentially new-look slip cordon during India's practice session. With Kohli at first, KL at second and Reddy at third. While Shubman Gill was taking catches at slip for a spinner. If Rohit is indeed dropped, Shubman Gill is the most likely candidate to replace him in the playing XI. Gill was previously dropped from the fourth Test after a series of poor performances.

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Rohit's struggles remained the talking point throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has managed to score only 31 runs across five innings in the series. This poor form extends beyond the current tour, as Rohit has scored just 164 runs in 15 innings across the last three series he has played, with only one half-century to his name, resulting in a dismal average of 10.93.

His recent performances in Australia have been particularly disappointing. Following back-to-back failures in the Melbourne Test, which India ultimately lost by 184 runs, Rohit's average plummeted to a record-low 6.20 for a touring captain in a Test series in Australia (with a minimum of five innings). This unfortunate record surpasses that of West Indies bowling legend Courtney Walsh, who averaged 7.75 during the 1996/97 tour of Australia.

It will be interesting to see whether Rohit will play the final Test or not, especially amidst all the speculations around his retirement from the longest format of the game.