Mumbai, Jan 4 (NationPress) India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma has garnered admiration as he navigates through a difficult period. On Saturday, Bollywood polymath Farhan Akhtar took to his Instagram to commend Sharma for his selfless dedication to prioritizing the team over his individual quest to regain form.

Farhan shared a low-quality image of Sharma in action, accompanied by an extensive note.

In his caption, he expressed, “I just need to voice this. This individual has contributed immensely to Indian cricket and has captained our team remarkably over the years. His batting prowess is evident, and he has delivered countless innings showcasing his elite capabilities.”

Farhan acknowledged that the sport has seen many of its greatest batsmen and bowlers encounter form slumps, often leading fans to wish for a break for them to regain their touch in domestic cricket or practice sessions before making a comeback.

He continued, “Indeed, this sport can be unforgiving, and it’s challenging to recall someone, especially a captain, who has taken such a step voluntarily. Here’s a player who is prioritizing his team's victory chances over his personal form, yet instead of being celebrated for his altruism, he faces widespread criticism. Ask yourself, ‘Why would anyone sacrifice personal glory for a greater cause if this is the reaction they receive?’ @rohitsharma45 You’re a superstar.”

“You know your path, and I’m confident you won’t succumb to negativity, but I want to express my gratitude for demonstrating that you place the team above personal achievements. That’s a difficult choice, achievable only by those with immense mental and emotional strength. That’s the hallmark of a true leader. Looking forward to seeing you back on the field soon,” he added.

Sharma’s leadership during the ongoing Border–Gavaskar Trophy has faced significant scrutiny, particularly regarding his lack of support for the team with the bat.

The Australian cricket team has largely outperformed team India throughout this series. Team India triumphed in the first match of the ongoing Border–Gavaskar Trophy under Jasprit Bumrah's leadership. However, the team has struggled to capitalize in subsequent matches after the captaincy transitioned to Rohit Sharma.

Sharma, who realized team India’s aspiration of clinching a World Cup trophy in June 2024 following the T20 World Cup victory, has underperformed in the current test series, appearing uncertain in the face of a batting lineup that collapses under pressure from the Australians.

For the final test in the series, Sharma has been rested, passing the captaincy baton back to Bumrah. India’s lackluster performance in batting during the first innings left fans disappointed as the team could only muster 185 runs. However, the bowling unit excelled, restricting the Australians to 181.

With a lead of 141 runs in the second innings, India has scored 137 runs for 6 wickets (as of this report) with key batsmen dismissed. Rishabh Pant stood out as India’s leading scorer in the second innings.

In this concluding test, India must win to level the series, keeping alive their hopes for the upcoming edition of the WTC.

For team India to qualify for the WTC, Australia will need to lose to Sri Lanka in their upcoming test series, even after leveling the current test series.