'Worst test captain India's ever had’ - Netizens slam Rohit Sharma amid abysmal form, captaincy

3,3,6,10, 3 - That’s how India captain Rohit Sharma fared in the ongoing Australia tour. The 37-year-old missed the opening Test of the series in Perth, which the visitors won by 295 runs. Before the Pink Ball Test, he featured in the warm-up game against Prime Minister XI, where he scored three runs and has been extremely ineffective ever since. His captaincy too has faced scrutiny as India have failed to establish their authority in the middle.

In the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rohit faced the flak for starting the day with Mohammed Siraj and, later, switching immediately after just one over. Former cricketer Simon Katich also called him out for being a reactive captain rather than proactive. India haven’t been attacking with the ball and the onus also falls on the bowlers, particularly Siraj as far as the fourth Test is concerned. The 30-year-old leaked 122 runs in the 23 overs he bowled in the match, without any success.

Meanwhile, Rohit promoted himself to opening in the Melbourne Test and that move failed, which invited more criticism. The pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did a great job in the first three Tests but to find form, the captain moved to the top of the order, but he lasted only five balls as Pat Cummins dismissed him in the second over of the game. The Nagpur-born tried to pull the pacer but failed to time it as Scott Boland picked up a simple catch.

Also Read: Simon Katich slams Rohit Sharma’s reactive captaincy

Rohit’s numbers in Australia are very poor as well. The opener played 10 Tests, scoring 430 runs at an average of 25.29. For India to bounce back, the captain needs to lead by example in the remainder of the series, especially with the World Test Championship finale spot up for grabs. Even if not helping by scoring runs, Rohit's captaincy skills need to improve for the visitors to show some spirit.

In the meantime, the cricketer has been subjected to immense criticism, as both former cricketers and fans have been critical of his performance.

Here’s how 'X' reacted:

It’s been 10 years since India were bullied the way they have been this morning on Australian soil & it’s the kind of session which can really expose a touring captain as this one has Rohit Sharma #AusvInd

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 27, 2024

Rohit Sharma is pound-for-pound the worst test captain India's ever had. The resources at his disposal, the stage the team was at when he inherited it, the absolute power he's been afforded by the board; it's amazing how badly he's f'ed this up. This has got to be the end.

— Vignesh (@country_brute) December 27, 2024

Siraj, Bumrah, Akash Deep, Starc, Cummins, Boland, Lyon, Hazelwood all have better batting average than Rohit Sharma this BGT

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) December 27, 2024

If you translate Rohit Sharma’s captaincy into numbers you get Siraj bowling figures.

— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) December 27, 2024

Muddled minds. No clear thinking. Zero planning. Ball chasing. Badi badi baatein. Bad results. Proud Test legacy destroyed. No accountability.

The summary of this Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir regime. These guys cannot take Indian cricket forward, they have no clarity & no vision.

— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) December 27, 2024

The way Manjrekar criticised Rohit Sharma for changing the opening combination just for his self

Liked how he termed him as "selfish"

— POTT⁷⁶⁵ (@KlolZone) December 27, 2024

Won’t be surprised if Rohit Sharma gets the same amount of boos in the IPL as Hardik.
He can only redeem himself if he makes a Champions trophy of his own otherwise he is in Trouble. #INDvsAUS

— Mitesh (@miteshagarwal_) December 27, 2024

R Ashwin announced retirement in between series,
Can Rohit Sharma announce Retirement in between innings..... India can still play with 10 players #RohitSharma #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4lZgAmXOOo

— Dr Artistic Soul (@dr_artisticsoul) December 27, 2024

Demoted well established KL rahul to miss well deserved century by 97 runs, selfless captain Rohit Sharma for you. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/8NGKqjmkUg

— ByteWizard🇮🇳 (@Binary_Boss07) December 27, 2024

Rohit Sharma dug out me jakar sbko btyga, is pitch par khelna kese hai 😂 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Z56epFBgVB

— Rohit 🚩🚩 (@HPindia01) December 27, 2024

In this BGT

Rohit Sharma :- 22 runs
Jasprit Bumrah:- 25 wkt

The tough battle going on between the greats of the game

— Atharv (@candicepiv2) December 27, 2024

Despite whatever happens in Sydney test, Ajit Agarkar should drop Rohit Sharma in tests. He is a walking wicket & a clueless captain. #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS

— Hetansh (@HetanshP09) December 27, 2024

Rohit Sharma resigning from the captaincy is the only present I want this Christmas! #RohitSharma #INDvsAUS #BoxingDayTest

— Parth Acharya (@advparthacharya) December 27, 2024