Rohit Sharma Opens Up on Cricket, Commentary, and Criticism in India
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has made a series of candid and hard-hitting remarks, addressing issues ranging from media commentary to the quality of public criticism and the current state of cricket discourse in India.
Reflecting on the 2011 World Cup Final, Rohit recalled the early dismissals of legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, highlighting the importance of the partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli:
"We lost two wickets — Sachin Paaji and Viru Paaji — early in the 2011 WC Final, and then Gautam Gambhir & Virat Kohli's partnership was so crucial at that point. If one more wicket had fallen, the pressure would have increased a lot. In finals, pressure matters most."
He also addressed the nature of public criticism following losses:
"If we lose, go ahead and criticize — who’s stopping you? You have the right to criticize. But there’s a way to do it. What we see nowadays is agenda-driven criticism, which is not good at all."
Rohit didn't mince words when pointing out the decline in the quality of cricket commentary in India, drawing a sharp contrast with international standards:
"In our India, there are cricket lovers who genuinely want to listen to full cricket commentary and understand the game, not those interested in gossip. But commentators often talk about cricketers' personal lives and say all sorts of nonsense. Just because you have the right to speak doesn't mean you can say anything."
He further added:
"Today, the way commentators speak on TV is very disappointing. When we go to Australia, their commentary is on a whole different level. Here, it feels like commentators' goal is just to pick on a player and talk negatively."
On the state of sports journalism, Rohit expressed concern over the shift from meaningful cricket discussions to clickbait content:
"Earlier, reporting was done on cricket itself, discussions were about the game. But now it's all about how to get more views and engagements. There's very little genuine concern about cricket anymore."
On a more positive note, Rohit shared a heartfelt moment after India's recent T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies, revealing that MS Dhoni had personally congratulated the team:
"MS Dhoni messaged us when we won the T20 World Cup and he also video-called the players to congratulate the whole team."
Rohit's remarks have sparked widespread conversation among fans and cricket experts alike, shining a light on both the pressures players face and the broader ecosystem that surrounds the sport in India.