India captain Rohit Sharma has been criticized for his furious reaction after one of his young stars dropped a catch on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test.
It was a nightmare day for 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped three catches during Australia’s second innings.
The Indian captain was quite complacent when the first catch came in the third over, with the left-handed batsman failing to pick up a mistimed delivery from Usman Khawaja.
Later in the day, Jaiswal also failed to get a clipped lead from Marnus Labuschagne, who made 70 off 139 balls.
Jaiswal, who was in third place, failed to collect the rather routine catch that had traveled straight towards him.
Sharma stood behind him, turned red and lowered his arm in a fit of fury. Akash Deep, who was bowling at the time, was also not very impressed and cut a furious figure.
Rohit Sharma has been criticized for his reaction to a young star’s missed catch on Sunday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal had a tough day in the field, taking three catches, notably bringing down Marnus Labuschagne.
Sharma (right) was seen throwing his fist at the ground as he reacted angrily to the dropped catch.
But considering Jaiswal’s age and experience in the team, several cricket commentators lashed out at the Indian captain, claiming that he should have sympathized with the youngster, not reprimanded him.
Mike Hussey was among those who claimed that Sharma’s body language would have made Jaiswal feel even worse.
“I have to be honest, I don’t like that reaction from the Indian captain,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.
‘I appreciate that he is excited and desperately wants land, but it is you who has to send the message of calm and support. No one intends to spring a trap.
“You’re going to feel bad enough about making a catch, especially someone like Marnus Labuschagne, it happens quickly, it’s in, it’s out.” “You don’t need to see that as a young player.”
Alyssa Healey, also commenting, added: “Particularly when you need him to go out and open the batting alongside you, make some runs and try to win a Test match for your country.”
Jaiswal has enjoyed a solid series so far, inspiring India to a huge 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth, hitting 161 off 297 balls.
While he struggled for runs at the Gabba and Adelaide, he bounced back during India’s first innings at the MCG to score 82 runs before being dismissed by Pat Cummins.
Bowler Akash Deep (left) also expressed his frustrations towards Jaiswal after he dropped the catch.
The 23-year-old cut a frustrated figure after bowling the Queensland batsman, and Labuschagne scored 70 runs.
But unfortunately, the 23-year-old would drop another catch that would send the Australian captain to the stands.
Former cricketer Darren Berry also took to X to express his support for Jaiswal and attack India’s senior players.
“You have to feel for the guy that Jaiswal dropped 3 catches today,” Berry wrote.
‘I could have missed three crucial opportunities, the game and the series. His only answer is a winning innings when his chance comes today for India.
“He needs a pat on the back from his senior players and not a reprimand.”
Another added: ‘Yes, terrible reactions from your captain. The poor kid would be feeling terrible and potentially low on confidence, more so because of Rohit’s behavior on the field than the dropped catches.
‘But (the) first 2 catches really should have been made. Catches win games.’
One X user said: ‘Overall a very good shoe, one of the best in the recent past. I just didn’t like the way Rohit reacted to the drops, Yashasvi didn’t need that.
Jaiswal has enjoyed a solid series so far, inspiring India to a huge 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth, hitting 161 off 297 balls.
“The guy just needed an arm on his shoulder after the first fall and he was going to be fine.”
While Australia has clawed its way to a 333-run lead, it faces the prospect of a repeat of the Brisbane Test on Monday if it cannot eliminate India.
The Cummins team endured a difficult day at the MCG ground with Sam Konstas being dismissed for eight, Travis Head walking for one run and Steve Smith managing just 13.
Mitchell Marsh was also dismissed for no runs off four deliveries, with concerns mounting over his place in the team after the Australian batsman scored just 73 runs in this series.