After recently labeling Indian batsman Virat Kohli a “clown” for an altercation with debutant Sam Konstas in the ongoing fourth Test, the Australian press has now turned its attention to India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, calling him a “cry baby” for losing his cool with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The Perth-based tabloid, which previously ran a headline of “CLOWN KOHLI” alongside a digitally altered image of the Indian No. 4 batter with a red clown nose, targeted Rohit for his frustration over a series of dropped catches by Jaiswal on the penultimate day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The West Sport’s article, titled “CAPTAIN CRY BABY,” accused Rohit of being overly emotional, adding, “Turns out Clown Kohli isn’t the only sook in Indian side.” The tabloid also featured a digitally altered image of Rohit with a yellow pacifier and tears around his eyes, featuring the BCCI logo on the pacifier.
Rohit has been under scrutiny during this Australian tour, having arrived in the country after a disastrous 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. He skipped the series opener in Perth, where Jasprit Bumrah led India to a big victory. However, upon his return, Australia regained their form, thrashing India by 10 wickets in the Adelaide pink-ball Test and taking a substantial lead in the third Test at The Gabba, which ended in a rain-impacted draw.
In the ongoing Test in Melbourne, India has mounted a strong fightback, with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s century on Day 3 helping India avoid follow-on and reduce Australia’s lead to just over 100 runs. Rohit’s frustration was evident, particularly after Jaiswal’s missed chances, which contributed to Australia’s revival. By the end of Day 4, Australia had stretched their lead past 300, largely due to Marnus Labuschagne’s 70 and contributions from captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
