‘Captain Cry Baby’: Australian Newspaper Targets Rohit Sharma

Australian media has once again launched a sharp attack on India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma. This time they mocked him with the headline “Captain Cry Baby” after Sharma’s heated reaction towards his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, during the fourth Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The incident has sparked further controversy in a series already marred by media scrutiny of Indian cricketers. The scene unfolded on Day 4 of the Test when Jaiswal dropped three catches, including a crucial opportunity to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne on 47.

Sharma’s reaction to the second drop, of Pat Cummins, was intense. He was visibly frustrated, throwing his hands in the air and screaming. The outburst was witnessed by both the commentators and the Australian media.

Read More: No Kohli or Babar: Meet the 2024 ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year Nominees

The West Australian newspaper, known for its previous criticism of Virat Kohli, once again targeted an Indian player. The paper’s headline read: “Captain Cry Baby,” followed by the caption, “Turns out Kohli isn’t the only sook on the Indian side,” in reference to Sharma’s response to Jaiswal’s mishaps.

Reaction to the Incident

The incident has drawn strong reactions from both former cricketers and fans alike. Mike Hussey, a former Australian cricketer, expressed his disapproval, stating, “I don’t like that reaction from the Indian skipper. You need to send a message of calm and support, especially to a young player like Jaiswal who will already feel bad about dropping those catches.” He added that Sharma’s frustration could have negatively impacted Jaiswal’s morale, particularly as the young player was preparing to open the batting alongside his captain in the chase.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also weighed in, emphasising the psychological toll of Sharma’s actions on Jaiswal. “It’s a huge task for Jaiswal to get his head back in the game after such an emotional response from his captain. The pressure of dropping crucial catches, especially in a Test match against Australia, must have been immense,” Vaughan remarked.

Alyssa Healy, the Australian women’s cricket star, pointed out the further consequences of Sharma’s outburst. “Particularly when you need him to walk out and open the batting alongside you, to make some runs and try and win a Test match for your country,” she added.

Social media also erupted with comments, as fans and analysts criticised Sharma’s actions. Former Aussie cricketer Darren Berry tweeted, “You gotta feel for the kid. Jaiswal has dropped three crucial chances today. His only answer is a match-winning innings. He needs a pat on the back from his senior players, not to be berated.”

The Indian team, trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, faces a challenging road ahead as they aim to bounce back in the final Tests. The incident in Melbourne has once again highlighted the high emotional stakes of international cricket.