Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was recently commended by Bollywood actress Vidya Balan for choosing not to play in the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25. A trotted her on social media as she praised Sharma’s enormous achievements to Indian cricket.
Taking to her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Vidya wrote, “Rohit Sharma, what a SUPERSTAR!! To take a pause & catch your breath requires courage … More power to you … Respect !! @ImRo45.”
However, Vidya is now receiving criticism on the internet, with users asserting that she was requested by Rohit’s public relations team to compose a note of gratitude for him.
The moment Balan unintentionally published a screenshot of a purportedly shared communication from Sharma’s PR team on her WhatsApp—which she quickly removed—attracted attention.
Earlier today, Farhan Akhtar also praised Rohit Sharma. He wrote a long note that read,
Just have to get this off my chest ..This guy has done so much for Indian cricket and captained our team incredibly well and successfully over the years. His skill with the bat speaks for itself and there have been innumerable innings in which he’s shown us the elite level he performs at.
Yes, this sport can be cruel and you’d be hard pressed to come up with a name of a cricketer who hasn’t gone through a lean period. We’ve seen the greatest batsmen and bowlers struggle for form.
At times we’ve secretly wished that they would take a break, find their form in domestic cricket or the nets, then make a comeback. You’d be hard pressed to think of someone, more so a captain, who did that voluntarily.”
Now here’s a guy who’s putting his teams chances of a win ahead of himself finding form and instead of being applauded for his selflessness, the majority is tearing him down.
Ask yourself.. why would anyone do this again if this is how the world responds to a man thinking of the larger cause than his own glory?”
“@rohitsharma45 You’re a superstar. You know what you’re doing and I know you won’t let the negativity get you down.. but just want to say thank you for showing the world that you put team before individual. It’s a hard thing to do and only the strongest of mind and heart can do it. That’s what makes a great leader. See you back on the field soon.
