STORM BEFORE THE BIGGEST TEST

Despite dressing room 'chaos', India would be looking to salvage pride in Sydney and keep hopes of qualifying for WTC final alive

- Gomesh S

When India head coach Gautam Gambhir walked into the press conference room at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday afternoon, it seemed like an opportunity to put a lot of speculation to rest. Instead, by the time he was done with his media interaction on the eve of the fifth and final Test between India and Australia, he had left them more speculation by not confirming Rohit Sharma's place in the playing XI.

As things stand, Sharma will not take part in the Sydney Test with Shubman Gill walking into his No. 3 spot after being left out of the Boxing Day Test. Sharma has been out of form, scoring just 31 runs in five innings at a 6.2 average on this tour. With him losing two of the three Tests he captained, pressure was mounting on the captain.

In the lead-up to the Sydney Test, there had been multiple reports and speculations about tension building within the Indian camp after the loss in Melbourne. India had conceded a lead after having a good chance at drawing the match heading into the final session on day five. Since then, Gambhir has reportedly spoken sternly with the team and players. Inevitably, as the press pack waited for the interaction with the Indian contingent, there were questions and murmurs doing rounds on who's going to come and whether Sharma would be dropped. As Gambhir, who had not addressed the media since landing in Australia walked in, it seemed like there would be answers for a lot of questions ahead of what is a must-win game for India.