This could also mean that the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne could have been Rohit’s last for India given he might not be in the scheme of things for the next World Test Championship Cycle, which begins with a tour to England in the summer. It is unlikely that India will qualify for the WTC final in the current cycle.

Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the Melbourne Test, will return to the playing 11 in place of Rohit. He will bat at number three while KL Rahul will open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, is set to retain his spot in the team and Prasidh Krishna will replace an injured Akash Deep, who was ruled out of the series finale on Thursday.

During training on match eve, Gambhir was seen having long, intense conversations with Bumrah while the fielding drills were going on. Rohit made a brief appearance at the nets and batted with side-arm bowlers — he, in fact, was among the last to walk in for practice. He was also missing during the routine slip practice sessions.

Earlier in the day, when Gambhir was asked about Rohit’s place in the playing 11, he remained non-committal. “Everything is fine with Rohit. We are going to have a look at the wicket and announce the playing XI tomorrow,” Gambhir added.

Rohit has of late struggled in Tests, averaging a mere 6.2 in the last three Test matches he played in Australia and 10.93 in the last nine Tests. His captaincy has also come under scanner following the whitewash suffered at the hands of New Zealand and home, and the two defeats to Australia in the ongoing series after India won the opening Test under Bumrah’s leadership.

Bumrah will have another opportunity to lead the team in the all-important fifth Test, which India must win to level the series 2-2 and retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.