Team India captain Rohit Sharma has been in the eye of the storm after his horrific batting performances in the five-match Test series against Australia which Indians lost 3-1. Rohit scored 31 runs in the three matches he played as India surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) for the first time in 10 years.
Rohit decided to drop himself for the fifth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Soon after stepping down, a rigorous PR campaign was run during the SCG Test in support of Rohit Sharma. Several Bollywood star came out in support of Rohit Sharma on social media.
“Rohit Sharma, what a SUPERSTAR !! To take a pause & catch your breath requires courage … More power to you … Respect !!” Vidya Balan’s post read.
Rohit Sharma, what a SUPERSTAR
!!
To take a pause & catch your breath requires courage … More power to you … Respect!! @ImRo45
— vidya balan (@vidya_balan) January 4, 2025
Many believe that the campaign was orchestrated by Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh, who herself handled her cricketer husband’s PR few years back apart from that of Virat Kohli. Ritika, though, was not in Australia after giving birth to their second child in November last year.
But the likes of Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul were accompanied by their wives Anushka Sharma, Sanjana Ganesan and Athiya Shetty respectively and used to travel with them separately. The BCCI has now come up with new rules for Indian players which will prohibit them from using independent transportation for commuting during practice sessions and matches.
India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were briefed about this decision during a meeting with BCCI officials in Mumbai last Saturday.
Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has weighed in on the matter, proposing an alternative restriction. He suggested that the BCCI should focus on banning players from hiring personal PR agencies.
“Reading about the changes the BCCI is apparently proposing for the Indian team. Not sure how much to believe, but if I were to nominate one rule to enforce strictly, it would be to ban team members from having PR agencies,” Bhogle wrote on X.
Reading of the changes the BCCI is apparently suggesting for the Indian team. I don’t know how much to believe but if I had to nominate one rule to be strictly applied, it would be to ban team members from having PR agencies
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 15, 2025
This development comes amid scrutiny of senior players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, following India’s recent series loss to Australia. Both players faced criticism for their underwhelming performances with the bat.
Rohit managed only 31 runs across three matches, averaging a disappointing 6.20. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored 190 runs in five matches, averaging 23.75, with just one century.
The uncertainty extends to Gambhir’s position as head coach. The BCCI is expected to make a decision on his future after the Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March.
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