'Massive Respect' - Fans pour out hearts for Rohit Sharma's sportsmanship as he withdrew run out appeal at non-striker's end

Following his half-century knock of 83 runs in the first innings, the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma attracted the eyeballs of the cricketing fraternity for another activity during the Sri Lankan innings. It all happened when Sri Lanka was chasing the target of 374 runs in the second innings against India during the first of the three-match ODIs series at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

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The incident happened in the final over when senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami happened attempted a run-out at the non-striker’s end to claim the wicket of opponent skipper Dasun Shanaka. Umpire referred the decision to the TV umpire, but Rohit Sharma refused to stand with the appeal and withdrew it as soon as possible.

This gesture from the 35-year-old won the hearts of the cricketing fraternity. And, many former Sri Lankan cricketers and players or fans from other countries hailed Rohit’s sportsmanship.

"The real winner was the sportsmanship of Rohit Sharma for refusing to take the run out. I doff my cap to you," tweeted former blistering Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya.

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"Not many captains would do this but hats off to Rohit Sharma for withdrawing the appeal even though the law says so! Displaying great sportsmanship," read the tweet of former Islanders’ skipper Angelo Mathews.

Here’s how fans and cricketers reacted to Rohit Sharma’s gesture:

Not many captains would do this but hats off to ⁦@ImRo45⁩ for withdrawing the appeal even though the law says so! Displaying great sportsmanship 👏 pic.twitter.com/Dm2U3TAoc9

— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) January 10, 2023

The real winner was the sportsmanship of Rohit Sharma for refusing to take the run out. I doff my cap to you ! https://t.co/KhMV5n50Ob

— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) January 10, 2023

I had no idea Shami did that, he was batting on 98. The way he batted was brilliant, we cannot get him out like that -ROHIT SHARMA

MY CAPTAIN ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/cepkXXc0zG

— Anmol (@anmol1999) January 10, 2023

Well done Rohit Sharma and Shami!! Withdrawing Mankad appeal was right decision in that situation!! #INDvSL

— The Cricket Statistician (@CricketSatire) January 10, 2023

#INDvsSL
Massive Respect 🫡 @ImRo45 🇮🇳

Cancelled the Mankad attempt by Shami #RohitSharma𓃵 #Shami #mankading #attempt #RohitSharma #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/zYRhC21QrV

— Aadil Qureshi (@AadilQu23793434) January 10, 2023

How many of you remembered Suraj Randiv’s deliberate no ball to Sehwag when Shami mankaded Shanaka? Difference is Rohit sharma is not Kumar Sangakkara. #mccspiritofthegame #INDvsSL #RohitSharma

— Stanley Abie (@stan_the_man_25) January 10, 2023

*Shami Mankaded Shanaka and Rohit Sharma told Shami to withdraw the appeal...Good Gesture from the Indian Captain*❤️😍
Video Courtesy : SuperSport #INDvsSL #RohitSharma #Shami #mankading #IndianCricketTeam #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/x1bIV2lGuh

— Rohind N Mani (@rohind_) January 10, 2023

Later on, Sharma also talked about the incident during the post-match presentation and explained the reason why he didn’t go for the appeal.

"Shami went for the appeal but he is batting on 98, the way he batted was brilliant so we cannot get him out like that. We want to get him out the way we thought getting him out was right and that (Mankad) wasn't something we thought," said Rohit while recalling the incident.