MELBOURNE: Australian media labelled Indian skipper Rohit Sharma a “Captain Cry-Baby” following his visible frustration on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
A Perth-based newspaper on Sunday published a digitally edited image of Sharma with a pacifier in his mouth and tears streaming down his face.
The controversial image was accompanied by the caption, “Turns out Kohli isn’t the only sook in the Indian side.”
The criticism has sparked heated debate, with Indian media interpreting the portrayal as an insult to their skipper.
The controversy stems from Sharma’s apparent frustration after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped three catches, including two relatively straightforward chances, during Australia’s innings.
The newspaper report further escalated tensions, stating, “Tensions in the Indian camp in the angsty Boxing Day Test have been exposed by captain Rohit Sharma’s blow-up at a young teammate. Indian boy wonder Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped three catch chances – including two sitters – as the visitors chased Australian wickets in the Melbourne showdown.”
This isn’t the first instance of Indian players facing sharp criticism in the Australian media during the series.
On Friday, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli was labeled a “clown” after a shoulder-bump incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the opening session of the fourth Test.
The same media outlet published a digitally edited image of Kohli with a red nose, dubbing him “Clown Kohli.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) reviewed the incident under Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct (CoC), which prohibits inappropriate physical contact. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and handed one demerit point.
However, some former cricketers and sections of the Australian media criticized the punishment as too lenient, with calls for at least a one-match suspension for the Indian star.
- Rohit Sharma
