Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against legendary cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar.
This action follows recent critical remarks made by Gavaskar regarding Sharma’s performance during India’s Test series against Australia.
According to multiple sources, including CricBlogger, Rohit has expressed dissatisfaction with Gavaskar's commentary, which he found excessively negative.
The 36-year-old batsman, who has struggled for form in recent months, managed a meager 31 runs in three Test matches against Australia. His poor showing was further compounded by his decision to drop himself from the final Test match in Sydney, a move that sparked further scrutiny from critics.
In his column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Gavaskar speculated that Rohit might be considering stepping down from his role as captain if his form didn’t improve. He went as far as to suggest that the selectors might not need to make that call, hinting at a self-imposed exit. This harsh assessment, according to insiders close to Rohit, was perceived as an unnecessary external pressure that could affect the captain’s confidence.
“Rohit felt that it wasn’t necessary for Gavaskar to criticize him in such a way. The captain has been under pressure for some time, and this external criticism, especially from a figure as respected as Gavaskar, only adds to the weight on his shoulders,” a source revealed.
While Gavaskar has long been a stalwart in Indian cricket and a respected commentator, his remarks on Rohit's future in red-ball cricket and leadership have stirred controversy.
The former cricketer’s blunt criticisms raised questions about Rohit's tenure as captain, especially following India’s disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Under Sharma’s captaincy, India was also eliminated from the race for the final of the World Test Championship.
Rohit’s discomfort with the situation reportedly led him to file a complaint with the BCCI, seeking to address the growing external pressures and their potential impact on his performance. This is the first known instance where a player of Rohit’s stature has taken such a step against a former cricketer and commentator, further highlighting the delicate balance of public criticism in modern-day cricket.
Rohit Sharma and team to miss Ranji Trophy match
In another development, Rohit Sharma, along with teammates Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer, has opted to skip Mumbai's crucial Ranji Trophy clash against Meghalaya. This decision comes as the trio shifts focus to the upcoming ODI series against England, which begins on February 6 in Nagpur. Mumbai, currently in third place in Group A of the Ranji Trophy, faces a must-win scenario to qualify for the next stage, but the absence of key players, including Sharma and Jaiswal, adds another layer of complexity to their campaign.
Rohit’s decision to focus on international duties has come amid a string of underwhelming performances in the domestic circuit. In his recent Ranji Trophy appearance against Jammu & Kashmir, he scored only 3 and 28 runs, which added to his growing frustration with his form. Jaiswal, too, has faced challenges, scoring just 4 and 26 runs in his latest outing, although his overall record this season, including a century and two half-centuries in Australia, has been more promising.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has been the standout performer for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy this season. With 480 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 68.57, including two centuries, Iyer has emerged as a consistent contributor to the team’s efforts. His exceptional form has been mirrored in white-ball cricket as well, where he has been in fine touch with two unbeaten centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a remarkable 345 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Despite the absence of Sharma and Jaiswal, Mumbai will need to deliver in their final Ranji match to stay in the hunt for a spot in the next round.
Rohit Sharma's form has been a subject of concern for both fans and selectors alike. In his last 15 Test innings, he has scored just 164 runs at an average of 10.93, including a series of underwhelming performances in both the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the domestic circuit. His struggles have drawn heavy criticism, with figures like Gavaskar pointing out that the Indian team’s future could depend on fresh leadership, should Sharma’s form continue to falter.
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