Former India cricketer Atul Wassan who was the part of Kapil Dev-led 1983 World Cup team suggested that the team needs to have their best playing XI to win a Test match. Rohit Sharma-led India are currently in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 where Pat Cummins & Co. took 2-1 lead defeating visitors in the fourth Test match. Rohit who is known for his aggressive batting style is currently struggling in the longest format of the game.
In fact, the only Test that India have won thus far in the series is the one in which Rohit didn't play, and Wassan insists that the 37-year-old should take into consideration everyone's interest and make the bold call of leaving himself out for the final New Year's Test, starting January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"I feel sorry. They are such big players. It hurts when you see them struggle. This is the end of your career. See, what happens is… if you leave it too late – because there are millions of fans and I know I will get a lot of abuses today – people who are fans, they will get these memories etched, seeing their favourite players struggling. You don't want to leave the sport with these memories. It's a hard decision, more so for Rohit. He also knows that he's been a great player but when he's struggling, as a captain, he can earn huge respect in my eyes if he says 'Ok, I'll drop myself’. What will happen? In a team sport, you should pick the best XI players and then choose the captain. Not the other way around," Wassan told ANI.
After winning the fourth Test match against India, Pat Cummins-led side have inched closer to qualify their berth for World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled to take place next year. On the other hand, to stay in race for WTC final, India need to win the fifth Test match.