Australia’s media war with Indian cricketers reached new heights as they ridiculed Rohit Sharma, labeling him “Captain Cry Baby” after a heated exchange with his opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, during the fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The incident, reported by Samaa News on Tuesday, fuels the ongoing controversy in a series already under intense scrutiny for its treatment of Indian players. On Day 4 of the Test, Jaiswal struggled in the field, dropping three crucial catches, including one that could have dismissed Marnus Labuschagne on 47. His second mishap saw Sharma visibly frustrated, throwing his hands in the air and releasing a loud scream. The Australian commentators and media quickly seized on Sharma’s emotional outburst.
The West Australian newspaper, no stranger to criticizing Indian players like Virat Kohli in the past, published a headline reading, “Captain Cry Baby,” with the snide remark, “Turns out Kohli isn’t the only sook in the Indian side.” The headline sparked widespread backlash, with Sharma’s response to Jaiswal’s mistakes becoming the latest target of the Australian press.
Critics, including former cricketers, quickly voiced their disapproval. Mike Hussey, a former Australian cricketer, condemned Sharma’s reaction, stressing that a captain should project calm and support, especially toward a young player like Jaiswal, who was already under pressure after his fielding blunders. “You need to send a message of calm and support,” Hussey said. “Jaiswal will already feel bad about dropping those catches, and Sharma’s frustration could have impacted his morale, especially since Jaiswal was set to bat alongside him.”
The Reaction
Similarly, former England captain Michael Vaughan highlighted the psychological toll of Sharma’s response, emphasizing the difficulty Jaiswal would face in regaining focus after such an emotional display. “It’s a huge task for Jaiswal to get his head back in the game after such an emotional response from his captain. The pressure of dropping crucial catches in a Test match against Australia must have been immense,” Vaughan said.
Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy also voiced her concern, stressing the ramifications of Sharma’s outburst on Jaiswal’s confidence. “Particularly when you need him to walk out and open the batting alongside you, to make some runs and try and win a Test match for your country,” Healy pointed out.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with former Australian cricketer Darren Berry tweeting, “You gotta feel for the kid. Jaiswal has dropped three crucial chances today. His only answer is a match-winning innings. He needs a pat on the back from his senior players, not to be berated.”
As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether this moment will define the leadership of Rohit Sharma in the eyes of his critics or whether the Indian captain will move past this emotional outburst to lead his team to greater heights.