Rohit Sharma vs Sunil Gavaskar: Indian captain crosses the line with a complaint against the legend?

Rohit Sharma both as captain and batter in the recent tour of Australia was far from ideal, as the Indian captain struggled to make an impact with the bat. After missing the first Test to attend to paternity duties, he rejoined the team for the second Test in Adelaide. However, despite India’s victory in Perth under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, things quickly went downhill for both Sharma and the team. Rohit's form remained lackluster, and his leadership was questioned as India faced a tough time throughout the series. The situation caught the attention of former India legend Sunil Gavaskar, who, in his role as a commentator, expressed disappointment in Sharma’s leadership and his apparent lack of proactiveness on the field.

Rohit Sharma files an official complaint against Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar's critique didn't sit well with Sharma, who felt that his captaincy and performance were being unfairly criticized. According to recent reports, Sharma has taken the issue further by lodging an official complaint against Gavaskar with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), seeking intervention on the matter. This development has added a new layer of tension to the ongoing discussions around India’s leadership and performance on international tours. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the BCCI handles this internal conflict and whether it impacts the team's dynamics moving forward.

Rohit Sharma's performance during the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy was far below expectations, as he managed to score only 31 runs in three Test matches, averaging a dismal 6.00. His poor showing with the bat led to criticism from cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, who raised concerns about Sharma’s place in the Test team. Gavaskar also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that Sharma had opted to sit out the Sydney Test, which added fuel to the ongoing debate about his future in red-ball cricket.

Gavaskar’s remarks went beyond just the batting performance; he questioned whether Sharma was the right person to continue leading the Indian Test team, suggesting that it might be time for a change at the helm. The former cricketer advocated for the idea of giving others a chance to captain, citing the need for fresh leadership in the longest format of the game. With Sharma's leadership under scrutiny and his form in question, his position as captain and player in the Test squad seemed increasingly uncertain. The criticism from such an iconic figure as Gavaskar only intensified the pressure on Rohit, leaving his future in Test cricket hanging in the balance.

According to various sources, the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, did not take the recent criticism well. The comments made about his performance seemed to have affected him, prompting him to approach the Board of Control for Cricket in India with a formal complaint. Rohit expressed his displeasure over what he perceived as undue scrutiny, which he felt was unnecessary and unfair. The criticism, particularly the harsh tone of it, seemed to have added unnecessary pressure on the skipper.

Rohit Sharma also took the opportunity to elaborate on the reasons behind his recent struggles with the bat. He admitted that external factors, beyond the game itself, had played a significant role in his inability to perform at his usual level for Team India. While he didn’t delve into specifics, it was evident that personal or off-field issues had affected his on-field focus and form. This statement reflected his frustration, as he made it clear that these external circumstances were a key reason for his dip in performance. Nonetheless, Rohit’s commitment to the team and his desire to return to form remains strong, as he aims to overcome these challenges and continue leading India with confidence.

“Rohit felt that it was not necessary for Sunil Gavaskar to criticize him in that fashion and that’s why he complained to the BCCI about Gavaskar. All these added so much pressure that he was compelled to tell it all to BCCI,” the source said.

For those unaware, this recent move by Rohit Sharma came shortly after he shared the stage with cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Wankhede Stadium. Following the event, Rohit took the decision to return to domestic cricket, joining the Mumbai team in an effort to rediscover his lost form. He is currently participating in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, hoping that a return to the basics will help him regain his batting rhythm.

However, his struggles continued in the latest match against Jammu & Kashmir, where Rohit once again failed to make an impact with the bat. In a disappointing turn of events, Mumbai suffered a defeat in their own backyard, further adding to the pressure on the Indian captain. Despite his efforts to regain form in domestic cricket, it seems that Rohit is still searching for the consistency that has eluded him in recent matches.