India‘s Test captain Rohit Sharma has faced ongoing struggles with the bat in 2024, raising questions about his form and role in the team. Despite his inconsistent performances, he has continued to hold his place in India’s lineup, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike. In a surprising twist, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) recently liked two social media post that criticized Rohit for his poor run yet secure position in the team, hinting at possible underlying dynamics in Indian cricket.

Social media controversy surrounding Lucknow Super Giants

An unexpected social media controversy emerged when the IPL franchise LSG recently liked two tweets that appeared critical of Rohit. These tweets, shared by a user named Vaibhav Bhola, pointedly questioned Rohit’s recent form, noting his low scores in his last seven Test innings and humorously implying that certain players, like Rohit, receive prolonged opportunities despite poor form – a privilege not extended to others.

LSG’s actions on social media sparked widespread speculation, especially given ongoing rumors that the franchise could be interested in recruiting Rohit for a captaincy role in place of KL Rahul for the next IPL season. This interaction has since fueled discussions about potential leadership changes within LSG, marking a rare instance of IPL-related off-field drama gaining substantial attention.

Tweet 1: Rohit Sharma’s recent Test form

“Rohit Sharma In Last 7 Test Innings:
6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0
Captaincy Quota Zindabad!”

Rohit Sharma In Last 7 Test Innings :

6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0

Captaincy Quota Zindabad ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DLVkPKodGj

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) October 24, 2024

So Now,

Lucknow Super Giants Likes My Post On Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/dOrhNKOVER

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) October 24, 2024

Possible Explanation:
This tweet lists Rohit’s scores from his last seven Test innings to highlight his inconsistent form. The phrase “Captaincy Quota Zindabad” sarcastically suggests that his position in the team is secure mainly due to his role as captain, despite his lackluster performances. The tweet questions whether his place would be as stable without the “captaincy shield,” suggesting favoritism based on his leadership role.

Tweet 2: A satirical take on Rohit’s selection security

Tweet in Hindi:
“लिखो –
रोहित को बाहर करो
रोहित को बाहर करो
नहीं लिख पाओगे तुम, ये जानता हूं मैं
कोई नहीं गलती केएल राहुल की है…”

Translation in English:
“Write it down:
‘Drop Rohit Sharma’
‘Drop Rohit Sharma’
But you won’t write it; I know that well.
Of course, it’s all KL Rahul’s fault…”

लिखो –

रोहित को बाहर करो
रोहित को बाहर करो

नहीं लिख पाओगे तुम, ये जानता हूं मैं

कोई नहीं गलती केएल राहुल की है… #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/FSecFloyWi

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) October 24, 2024

Lucknow Super Giants On Fire Today 😃

Rohit Sharma को बाहर करो ☝️ pic.twitter.com/JxgIt0Kf5j

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) October 24, 2024

Possible Explanation:
This tweet humorously challenges people to call for Rohit’s exclusion from the team. It implies that there’s reluctance to criticize Rohit, contrasting it with the scrutiny faced by players like Rahul, often blamed for the team’s shortcomings. It reflects the perceived favoritism or ‘immunity’ that certain players have within the team. The tweet points to how Rohit’s form might be overlooked while other players are held to stricter standards.

Also READ: Virat Kohli faces backlash for getting out on a full toss during 2nd Test between India and New Zealand

Rohit Sharma’s inconsistent Test form for India

Rohit’s inconsistency in Test cricket has drawn significant attention, especially given his mixed performances in 2024. Out of 18 innings this year, Rohit has managed to score 50 or more runs only 4 times, highlighting his struggle to maintain form. His tendency to fall for single-digit scores has been evident, as seen in his first-innings dismissal in the recent Pune Test, where Tim Southee bowled a sharp delivery that clipped his off-stump. With an average of 32.41 in 2024, well below his career average of 43.19, Rohit’s form has become a concern. While he plays with notable aggression and a strike rate of 62.96 this year, this approach hasn’t consistently delivered the stability India requires in the longest format.

Contrasting performances against New Zealand

In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, Rohit’s contrasting approaches in both innings highlighted his ongoing form issues. India collapsed for 46 runs in challenging conditions, with many players, including Rohit, struggling to read the pitch. In the first innings, Rohit’s attempt at aggression led to his dismissal for just 2 runs against Southee. However, he seemed more composed in the second innings, scoring a quickfire 52 off 63 balls. While praised for setting a positive tone, Rohit’s short-lived innings underscored the missed opportunity for a longer, game-defining knock. Amid a struggling Indian batting lineup, the onus is on Rohit as captain to stabilize and guide the team, particularly in challenging conditions like those in Bengaluru and now in Pune.

Also READ: Tim Southee knocks out Rohit Sharma for a 9-ball duck with a near-perfect delivery on Day 1 of 2nd Test

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