Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has refused to confirm whether captain Rohit Sharma will play the New Year’s Test against Australia during a tense press conference at the SCG on Wednesday afternoon.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

While captains traditionally front the media the day before a Test match, Gambhir was tasked with answering questions at the Sydney venue, confirming that bowler Akash Deep had been ruled out of the series finale with a back injury.

When asked why Sharma wasn’t in attendance, Gambhir responded: “Everything is fine with Rohit.

“The head coach is there. That should be fine. That should be good enough.

“We’re going to have a look at the wicket and finalise (the starting XI) tomorrow.”

Pressed on whether Sharma would play the Sydney Test, he continued: “I just said that we’re going to have a look at the wicket and announce a playing 11 tomorrow. The answer remains the same.”

Later on Thursday afternoon, Sharma didn’t feature in the slips cordon as India trained in the SCG outfield, with superstar teammate Virat Kohli occupying first slip in his absence.

Gambhir’s remarks follow days of speculation about Sharma’s place in the Test side, with the 38-year-old registering scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign to date.

India won the series opener at Perth Stadium under Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy, with Sharma missing the first Test due to the birth of his second child.

However, Australia has since taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with India needing nothing less than victory at the SCG to retain the coveted trophy, which has been in their possession for nearly a decade.

MORE AUSTRALIA VS INDIA NEWS

MARSH DROPPED: Cummins reveals classy reply as debutant named in Sydney shake-up

BURNING QUESTIONS: One ‘blight’ between Aussies and greatness; big question facing Indian stars

Gambhir declared he was “extremely, extremely confident” India could secure victory at the SCG, a venue where Australia hasn’t tasted defeat since 2011.

“We know we’ve got the skill set, we’ve got the individuals, we’ve got everything in that dressing room that can win a Test match here,” Ghambir said.

“Not only here, (but we can) probably go on to do some unbelievable things in future as well. So extremely confident.”

Meanwhile, Ghambir brushed aside questions on explosive reports about tension and fractures within the dressing room, including claims the coach declared he’d “had enough” following last week’s dramatic loss to Australia at the MCG.

“Those are just reports. That’s not the truth,” Gambhir said.

“I don’t think I need to answer to any reports to be honest.

“There were some honest words, that’s all I can say. And honesty is very important. Honesty is extremely important if you want to go on and achieve some great things.”

Speaking in Hindi, he continued: “Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them – any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.”

The fifth Test between Australia and India gets underway at the SCG on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEDT.