'Kitna paisa mila Jalbhajan?’ - Fans react as Harbhajan Singh backs Rohit Sharma despite backlash over captaincy ahead of WI tour

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy style raised questions among fans after Team India lost the recent World Test Championship (WTC) final. Thus, during Rohit’s captaincy tenure, India failed to win another major title after getting failed in both the Asia Cup and the 20-20 World Cup 2022. Apart from fans, former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar also shared his disappointment.

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He stated that Rohit’s captaincy was not up to the mark in the WTC final. But, now, another former Team India player, Harbhajan Singh came up and showed support to his former Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate. On 12 July 2023, team India will begin their tour of the West Indies and ahead of that, Harbhajan shared his views in an interview with PTI.

“Rohit must be getting support from the Indian Cricket Board.” - Harbhajan Singh on Rohit Sharma

He said: "I find that people are going a bit overboard... the way Rohit has been criticised. Cricket is a team sport and one individual cannot take you from one place to other. Team India didn't do well in WTC final, and yes, you talk about that performance and move on from there. But it is unfair to criticise Rohit alone, that he is not scoring runs, putting on weight, not captaining well. I think he is a brilliant leader".

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"I have played with him (Rohit) and watched him closely. He commands a lot of respect not only in MI dressing room but also in the Indian dressing room. So I think it's unfair to judge him on basis of recent results. He will come good and we need to show faith in him and we need to support him rather than pinpointing that you are not doing this or that." the former spinner also added that Rohit should get full support from the Indian Cricket Board as that will help him to work freely.

"If you have the support from the Indian Cricket Board, you can work freely. Not just MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli, if you go back a little further, a lot of captains have got support from BCCI presidents of that time. Rohit must be getting support from the Indian Cricket Board. I don't know how much support he must be getting (though). Having that kind of support will help him take right kind of decision at the right time," he said.

Here is how fans have reacted:

Paytm pe 200 rupay prapt huye

— Mel (@MythicalMelmet1) July 10, 2023

Kholi ka time 😭😭😭

— NITIN 360 (@AbdNitin) July 10, 2023

Where was this energy when vk was captain?

— Shreyansh Rana (@Smokie_16) July 10, 2023

Brilliant is bit over rated. Yes he is good leader.

— Manish Jha (@engg_ManishJha) July 10, 2023

Bhajji Paa ❤

— KAILASH SAMANTARAY (@KailashSam1) July 10, 2023

Paytm par ___ rupye prapt hue

— satyam (@ffssatyam) July 10, 2023

Harbhajan Singh and W a beautiful love story 🐐

— Captain Ro45 💙 (@itssamyakk) July 10, 2023

But Rohit is the captain. He is not just a team member. When captain doesn’t perform it matters.

— Nirmal Jyothi (@majornirmal) July 10, 2023

no hate to rohit but for same reason people criticize kohli

— gurpreet (@grxwal7) July 10, 2023