Legendary India cricketer Kapil Dev has come out in staunch defense of Rohit Sharma, urging critics and doubters to exercise patience and refrain from making hasty judgments about the Indian captain following a challenging period in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kapil, who captained India to its historic 1983 World Cup win, believes it is entirely unfair to judge someone’s leadership capabilities based on a single disappointing series or a few poor performances, particularly in light of India’s recent loss to Australia.
Rohit Sharma’s leadership came under scrutiny after India was defeated by 10 wickets in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Adelaide. In the opening match in Perth, India, under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, secured a commanding 295-run victory. However, when Rohit returned as captain in Adelaide, the Indian team looked disjointed and uninspired, succumbing to a dominant Australian performance. Rohit, who had been struggling for form with the bat, particularly during the home series against New Zealand, had been forced to make the difficult decision to drop himself from his usual opening position. He chose to bat at No. 6 in the Adelaide Test, making just 9 runs in total across both innings. This further fueled criticism of his captaincy and his place in the squad.
The Adelaide Test highlighted some key issues for India, with Australia playing a clinical and aggressive brand of cricket. Travis Head’s scintillating century and superb bowling performances by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins put the Indian team under relentless pressure. However, despite the heavy loss, Kapil Dev dismissed any notion that this defeat should lead to long-term doubts about Rohit Sharma’s ability to lead. Kapil was emphatic, saying, “Let’s not doubt Rohit Sharma’s ability to bounce back. He doesn’t have to prove himself. He has done this for many, many years, so let’s not doubt somebody. I won’t doubt him. I hope his form comes back, that’s important.”
Kapil, who is highly regarded for his leadership and composure under pressure, reminded everyone of Rohit’s leadership success in recent months. In particular, he pointed to India’s T20 World Cup victory just a few months ago, a triumph that was achieved under Rohit’s guidance. The former cricketer highlighted that winning a major international tournament like the T20 World Cup showed Rohit’s ability to inspire his team, even when the pressure was high. “With one or two performances, if you doubt someone’s captaincy, I mean, just six months back when he won the T20 World Cup, you wouldn’t have asked me this question. Let it go, knowing his ability and talent, he will come back. They will come back strongly,” Kapil said, echoing the sentiments of many of Rohit’s supporters.
The focus on Rohit’s captaincy has been heightened by his own struggles against pace in recent matches. The Indian captain’s lack of comfort against fast bowlers, both at home and abroad, has been evident. During the Test series against New Zealand, Rohit found himself undone by their pace attack, contributing to India’s 0-3 loss. In the Adelaide Test, his batting performance was once again underwhelming. In the first innings, Rohit was dismissed for just 3 runs by Australian pacer Scott Boland. His struggles were compounded in the second innings when he was dismissed for a mere 6 runs, falling to a brilliant delivery from Pat Cummins. Rohit had also survived an LBW review due to a Mitchell Starc no-ball, but the lack of confidence in his game was palpable.
With the third Test against Australia looming in Brisbane on December 14, Rohit Sharma faces immense pressure to perform and lead from the front. The Indian cricketing community and fans will be hoping for a strong response from their captain, with his resilience being put to the ultimate test. In the face of criticism and poor form, Rohit’s ability to turn things around is now crucial for India’s success in the remaining matches of the series. The next few days will be vital not only for Rohit’s personal career but also for his leadership of the team.
Kapil Dev’s comments serve as a timely reminder that one rough patch or a few losses should not diminish the accomplishments or potential of a player like Rohit Sharma. Throughout his career, Rohit has proven his mettle as a batsman, captain, and leader, and this rough phase could ultimately fuel his determination to bounce back stronger. If anything, Kapil’s faith in Rohit’s abilities is a vote of confidence in the Indian captain’s character, leadership, and ability to overcome adversity. Given the legacy he has built over the years, Rohit Sharma will no doubt be eager to prove his critics wrong and lead India to success once again. The coming months will not only test his leadership but also highlight his capacity to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
