‘Haa lekin Rohit sirf team member nhi hai na’ – Fans react as Harbhajan Singh comes in support of Rohit Sharma after India skipper faces criticism over poor captaincy

The Indian cricket team has failed to perform at a crucial stage in the last decade. Losing around a dozen trophies and multinational tournaments because of poor performances. The latest addition to the list is the humiliating defeat against Australia in the World Test Championship finals. Fans and former players are constantly criticising the approach of Indian team management.

India captain Rohit Sharma has been one of the most criticised players in recent times. In the latest addition to his critics, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar slammed his approach as a captain. However, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh came up in support of Rohit and said that he is being subjected to too much criticism. He also said that Cricket is a team sport and individuals should not be criticised.

“I find that people are going a bit overboard… the way Rohit has been criticised.” Cricket is a team sport, and one individual cannot take you from one place to another,” Harbhajan told PTI. “Team India didn’t do well in the WTC final, and yes, you talk about that performance and move on from there. But it is unfair to criticise Rohit alone for not scoring runs, not putting on weight, and not captaining well. I think he is a brilliant leader,” he further added.

“I have played with him (Rohit) and watched him closely. He commands a lot of respect, not only in the MI dressing room but also in the Indian dressing room. So I think it’s unfair to judge him based on recent results. He will come good, and we need to show faith in him and support him rather than pinpointing that you are not doing this or that”, Harbhajan emphasised the need to support Rohit.

Rohit must be getting support – Harbhajan Singh

Further speaking about the support and confidence the Indian Cricket Board extends to their captains Bhajji said that Rohit must be getting it. “If you have the support of the Board, you can work freely. Not just MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli; if you go back a little further, a lot of captains have gotten support from presidents of that time. Rohit must be getting support from the board. I don’t know how much support he must be getting, though.”

“Having that kind of support will help him take the right kind of decision at the right time. He will get that liberty if he has that support. Support must be there for Rohit like the Board has given it to all its captains,” the ‘Turbanator’ further added. Notably, India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series followed by a three-match ODI series. After that, the team will move to the subcontinent to prepare for the Asia Cup, while Hardik Pandya will lead a young team in a five-match T20I series against the West Indies.

Here is how fans reacted to Harbhajan Singh’s comments on Rohit Sharma: