India's legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that people are going overboard criticising Rohit Sharma after India's World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final loss to Australia. Since India's 209-run loss to Pat Cummins-led side, fans and former cricketers have scrutinised Rohit's batting and captaincy. Even legendary Sunil Gavaskar has questioned Rohit's decisions for not being able to put up a fight against Australia. Harbhajan believes that Rohit does not deserve the blame alone as it is a team sport.
"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," Harbhajan told PTI ahead of India's two-Test series against the West Indies starting July 12.
"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," the 43-year-old said.
As India start a new WTC cycle on Caribbean soil, Harbhajan feels that Rohit needs to be backed.
"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."
Harbhajan wants Rohit to be backed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) the same way MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli have been backed and allowed the power to take right decisions.
"If you have the support from BCCI, 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 BCCI. 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 will get that liberty if he has that support. Support must be there for Rohit like BCCI has given it to all its captains," the 'Turbanator' said.
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