India captain Rohit Sharma appears on the verge of being axed for the fifth Test, sitting out slips training as coach Gautam Gambhir refused to guarantee his spot in the team.
With India needing a win over Australia in Sydney to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit did not bat at training on match eve or partake in fielding practice.
Desperately out of form and without a score above 10 in any of his five innings this series, Rohit's career now looks in jeopardy at age 37 and no more Tests for five months.
India's coach Gambhir confirmed to the media on Thursday that quick Akash Deep would miss Friday's Test with a back injury, in one guaranteed change for Sydney.
But asked directly whether embattled captain Rohit would play, Gambhir refused to answer directly.
"We are going to have a look at the wicket and announce our playing XI tomorrow," Gambhir said.
Asked again if he could guarantee the opener's spot, Gambhir responded: "The answer remains the same."
Gambhir's appearance at the pre-match press conference also raised eyebrows, with each team captain usually fronting the media.
However, India previously broke from that tradition this summer with Shubman Gill facing the media on the day before the Gabba Test.
Gambhir also spoke in place of Rohit at Wednesday night's Prime Minister's event at Kirribilli House.
"Everything is fine with Rohit, I don't think it is anything traditional (for him to speak today)," Gambhir said.
"The head coach is here, that should be good enough."
Afterwards Rohit warmed up with teammates but did not feature in slips cordon practice on Thursday while Gill spent time fielding at gully after not playing in Melbourne.
Rohit did not have a hit alongside the other top-order players in the nets, instead watching on while wearing a hoodie and shorts at the back of the nets.
Only when the bowlers had finished did Rohit have a token hit, facing throw-downs at the end of India's session.
The Indian Express also reported on Thursday night that Rohit had “opted out” of the match, after speaking with Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
If Rohit does miss, Gill would be expected to come into the XI with Jasprit Bumrah taking over as captain.
There had also been question marks over Rishabh Pant's spot after his two ugly dismissals at the MCG, including the needless pull shot that started the rot in the second innings.
Indian megastar Kohli is similarly under pressure, his unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth seeming an age ago while recording scores of 5, 7, 11, 3, 36 and 5 for the series.
But both trained as normal on Thursday.
Gambhir took aim at suggestions he had let out his fury at India's players following their last-day loss in Melbourne.
According to a report in the Indian Express, Gambhir told players he had "had enough", unhappy with them playing their own game rather than for the team.
"It was just reports, that's not the truth," Gambhir said.
"And I don't think I need to answer reports. There were some honest words, and honesty is very important if you want to go on and achieve great things.
"It's the team-first ideology that matters. It's a team sport and you need to play what the team needs you to do.
"People can play their natural game, but in a team sport individuals only contribute. If you need to play in a certain way, I think you have to do it."
