Sharma's karma as India crumbles after skipper dropped for 5th test against Australia

SYDNEY (AP) — Despite the absence of struggling captain Rohit Sharma, India's batting order again crumbled as it was bowled out for 185 on the first day of the fifth and final test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Sharma was replaced as skipper by Jasprit Bumrah, whose decision to bat first on a green-tinged SCG pitch backfired as Australia's bowlers took advantage of the lively wicket to tear through India's batting lineup.

Scott Boland took 4-31 off 20 overs, while Mitchell Starc had 3-49, as India was bowled out for less than 200 for the fifth time in the series.

At stumps, Australia was 9-1 in reply, with Bumrah (1-7) having Usman Khawaja (2) caught at slip.

The new skipper immediately celebrated in the direction of Sam Konstas after a fiery final over that saw the young batter and Bumrah face off with a verbal exchange just two balls prior.

"I feel they had a little chit-chat, they (Australia) wanted to waste some time," wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant said. “I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which (Konstas) wanted to do to just wait some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”

The start of the fifth test mirrored the four previous as the bowlers dominated early.

After several deliveries beat the edge of the bat outside off-stump, Starc found more joy bowling straighter as Rahul (4) chipped a simple catch to Konstas at square leg in the fifth over.

Boland only needed four balls at Jaiswal (10) to have the young opener edge a ball through to debutant Beau Webster, replacing Mitch Marsh.

That brought Kohli, the series' pantomime villain, to the crease. Kohli was greeted by booing from many in the the SCG crowd, stemming from his deliberate shoulder bump on Konstas on the opening morning of the Boxing Day test for which he was later fined.

And fittingly, his first ball was the most dramatic of the session. Boland drew the edge and it flew low to Steve Smith's right hand at second slip. Smith appeared to get his hand just under the ball before it hit the ground and the ball popped up for Marnus Labuschagne to complete the catch, sparking wild celebrations for the hosts.

The catch was referred to TV umpire Joel Wilson with replays suggesting the ball grazed the grass as it came out of Smith hand and Kohli survived.

As lunch approached, Nathan Lyon (1-19) teased Gill (20) to edge to Smith.

Kohli's (17) luck didn't extend much further after the break a he again edged behind from Boland to be India's only wicket to fall in a slow middle session.

Pant, who was widely criticized after a pair of loose dismissals in Melbourne, again played a rash shot to hole-out off Boland for 40 which triggered a collapse of 6-65 to end India's innings.

“It was obviously pretty seam-friendly... so the plan was to bowl a little bit fuller and try and, you know, entice those front foot defenses and front foot drives and I thought Scotty (Boland) was excellent," Webster said.

Australia leads the series 2-1 and must avoid defeat to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15. A win by India and a drawn series at 2-2 would allow the visitors to retain the trophy for a record-extending fifth consecutive time.

A win for Australia at the SCG would book the team’s spot in a second straight World Test Championship final. Australia beat India in the 2023 decider. South Africa became the first team to qualify for the WTC final at Lord’s in June by winning a dramatic match at home to Pakistan last weekend.

Intense speculation that Sharma would be dropped for the final test was confirmed shortly before play with Bumrah named as India's captain.

With scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 at an average of 6.2 for the series, Sharma has had a wretched tour since coming back into the side for the second test after he missed India’s comprehensive first-test win in Perth on paternity leave.

While Bumrah said Sharma had been rested, the 37-year-old's test career would now appear in doubt, despite India's poor showing with the bat without their struggling skipper.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat, right, gestures Australia's Sam Konstas exchanges words with to India's Jasprit Bumrah, not pictured, during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Jasprit Bumra, right, reacts with Australia's Sam Konstas, left, after taking the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Jasprit Bumra, right, reacts with Australia's Sam Konstas, left, after taking the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Virat Kohli, right, celebrates with Jasprit Bumrah after the wicket Australia's Usman Khawaja during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Mitchell Starc takes a catch to dismiss India's Jasprit Bumrah during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Mohammed Siraj reacts as he is hit while batting during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Beau Webster, centre, is congratulated by teammates after taking a catch to dismiss India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Rishabh Pant bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's captain Pat Cummins celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss India's Rishabh Pant during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's captain Pat Cummins dives to take a catch to dismiss India's Rishabh Pant during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Washington Sundar reacts after he was hit while batting during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Mitchell Starc is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of India's Ravindra Jadeja during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Scott Boland celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket India's Nitish Kumar Reddy during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Nathan Lyon, second right, is congratulated by Australia's Usman Khawaja after taking the wicket of India's Shubman Gill, left, during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Beau Webster appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India's Shubman Gill during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's KL Rahul prepares for play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia line up for their national anthem ahead of play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Beau Webster, centre, is congratulated by teammates after taking a catch to dismiss India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's captain Pat Cummins, congratulated teammate Mitchell Starc after taking the wicket of India's KL Rahul during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Virat Kohli bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Scott Boland appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of India's Shubman Gill during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Beau Webster attempts to field the ball off his own bowling during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Shubman Gill bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's captain Pat Cummins, right, reacts after bowling to India's Shubman Gill during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Virat Kohli bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

India's Virat Kohli bats during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia players celebrate after taking the wicket of India's Shubman Gill, during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Nathan Lyon, right, is congratulated by Travis Head after taking the wicket of India's Shubman Gill, left, during play on the first day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

CHICAGO (AP) — Derrick Rose wasn't sure how he will feel when sees his No. 1 hanging from the rafters. He was still trying to process the news.

The Chicago Bulls announced Saturday they plan to retire Rose's jersey sometime next season. The Chicago product and MVP will join Michael Jordan (23), Scottie Pippen (33), Jerry Sloan (4) and Bob Love (10) as the only players whose numbers have been retired by the team.

Team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf informed him in person on Saturday morning, telling him “nobody’s wearing that No. 1 jersey again” unless son PJ plays for the team. Rose, who retired in September after 16 seasons, was already scheduled to be honored with tributes before and during their game against the New York Knicks that night. The Bulls said they will have more details about the jersey retirement at a later date.

“Tonight is not about that,” Rose said. He said it was about showing appreciation for “everybody that was a part of the story, the journey, the good, the bad, the ugly.”

“It's celebrating everyone,” he said. “I understand coming from Chicago that it's tough love. It's a lot of tough love. You could forget about the love sometimes and just give toughness. Coming back, me being raised off of that tough love, I just wanted to show the love part. There's toughness, too, but you don't have to be tough all the time. It's understanding and realizing why I'm here.”

Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement: “Derrick is both a hometown hero and a symbol of an entire era of Bulls basketball."

On Saturday, the Bulls unveiled the “Derrick Rose Experience” in the United Center’s atrium showcasing memorabilia from his career. Players on both teams wore themed shooting shirts displaying “1.4.25” symbolizing the date as well as the numbers he wore with the Bulls, Knicks and at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy. Black T-shirts emblazoned with a red rose were at each seat. There were to be moments throughout the game recognizing Rose, his family and teammates.

At halftime, Rose walked out to those familiar “MVP! MVP!” chants after a highlight video played. He took a seat next to his mom, Brenda. He broke down when former teammate Joakim Noah told him he “always put your city on your back” and said he's “the people's champ.” Another video narrated by PJ was shown before Rose addressed the crowd.

“So well deserved,” New York's Tom Thibodeau, who coached Rose in his prime with the Bulls as well as in New York and Minnesota, said before the game. “For what he means to the city, the Bulls, the entire NBA. I had the opportunity to coach against him, so I know how difficult that is. I had the good fortune to coach him. You see in looking in the eyes of the opponent, when they had to guard him you could see the fear and the respect.”

Thibodeau said Rose — known for his humility almost as much as his explosiveness — was “probably the most beloved player in the league." He also said he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Rose, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, went from being Rookie of the Year to an All-Star to NBA MVP in his first three seasons. He remains the league's youngest MVP, winning it when he was 22.

A major knee injury during the 2012 playoffs forced him to miss almost two full seasons and he contemplated stepping away from the game several times following other injury issues.

Rose averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 assists in 723 regular-season games. He averaged 21 points per game before the ACL tear 12 years ago and 15.1 per game in the seasons that followed. But he insisted he doesn't think about what might have been if not for the injuries.

“The last time I had those conversations was years and years ago," he said. “Who knows? But at the same time, with me being obsessed, I wouldn't have found out who I was as a person. I was obsessed with the game. Not love, I was obsessed. If I would have won one championship, I would have wanted four. And that would have pulled me further and further away from finding self-knowledge, self-revelation, my identity. Everybody's story is different. For some reason, mine ended being this way. Coming from Chicago, we roll with the punches.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Former NBA player Derrick Rose answers questions during a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Players warm up on Derrick Rose Night before an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

T-shirts are on seats on Derrick Rose Night before an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)