On Thursday (January 2), the eve of the New Year's Test in Sydney, a report from Indian Expresshas stated that "Rohit has informed coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision to opt-out," and that the pair has agreed with the captain's decision.

Rohit's recent form with the bat has been poor, with the opener not scoring more than 18 in his last ten innings in Test cricket. This has coincided with a torrid run of results for India, including a historic 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand on home turf.

Read more: Australia announce playing XI for SCG Test, under-fire Mitchell Marsh dropped

He missed the first Test of the ongoing series in Perth thanks to paternity leave, and India won that match in Perth as vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah filled in. Since then, India have lost in Adelaide and Melbourne, and drawn in Brisbane. Bumrah is once again expected to step in as captain in Sydney.

Rohit batted at No.6 in Adelaide and Brisbane, but returned to the opening spot in Melbourne. His absence now will pave the way for KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to reunite as India's opening pair.

Shubman Gill, Prasidh Krishna set to play

The aforementioned report also states that Rohit will be replaced in the Indian XI by Shubman Gill, who was left out of the side in Melbourne in favour of Washington Sundar. With seamer Akash Deep confirmed to miss the Sydney Test with a back injury, Prasidh Krishna is reported to be the player who replaces him.

Also read: India fast bowler ruled out of final BGT Test due to back issue

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been in India's grasp since 2016-17, and with the series scoreline currently 2-1 in Australia's favour need to win in Sydney in order to retain it. However, they have only ever won one Test at this venue – back in 1978.

Likely India XI for Sydney Test

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj.

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