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Rohit Sharma Rested for Crucial Test Against Australia

The ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy has reached a pivotal moment with the 5th Test match taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India, currently leading the series 2-1, faces Australia in a match that holds significant implications for both teams' aspirations in the World Test Championship.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian Test captain, has been rested for this crucial encounter due to his disappointing form throughout the series. His performance has been underwhelming, accumulating only 31 runs across five innings, which has sparked discussions about his future in Test cricket. This decision marks a rare instance of a sitting Indian captain being dropped due to form, highlighting the emphasis on performance as stated by coach Gautam Gambhir.

As Sharma steps back, Jasprit Bumrah has taken over the captaincy for this match. The stakes are high, as Australia needs a victory to secure their place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Conversely, India must win and also hope for favorable outcomes in Sri Lanka's upcoming Tests against Australia to keep their own final hopes alive.

In the ongoing match, Virat Kohli has continued to struggle against Australian bowler Scott Boland, further complicating India's position. The outcome of this Test is critical for both teams, with the pressure mounting as they vie for a spot in the championship final. If India fails to qualify, their next Test engagement will be a five-Test tour of England starting June 20.

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