Rohit Sharma's Captaincy: A Rollercoaster After the Semi-Final
India's nail-biting, four-wicket win over Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final? Wow. It sent them rocketing into the final, but honestly, it also left Rohit Sharma's captaincy under a serious magnifying glass. The win was incredible, sure, but the *how* and the *who* are sparking a huge debate. Let's dive in.
Kohli's Heroics and a Surprising Take
Virat Kohli's stunning 84 runs were, without a doubt, the backbone of India's chase. He single-handedly steered them towards victory, rescuing them from what looked like a pretty shaky situation. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, commenting on his YouTube channel, even said Rohit Sharma was "very lucky" to have him in the team! Ali pointed out Kohli's amazing field presence and his ability to keep the team's spirits high, even when his own batting wasn't totally firing on all cylinders. And Kohli himself? He played it super cool, saying team success and a happy dressing room meant way more than any personal milestones. Class act.
Harbhajan's Critique: Tactical Tweaks?
But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for Captain Rohit. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh had some pretty strong opinions about Rohit's tactical calls. He questioned the timing of bringing in spinner Varun Chakravarthy against Australia's Travis Head, arguing that Head's dangerous 49 runs – many of which came after he'd settled in – might have been avoided if Chakravarthy had bowled earlier. It sparked a pretty intense discussion about Rohit's strategic thinking and whether his choices were the best ones.
Bollywood Cheers, Political Backlash
Bollywood celebrated like crazy. Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra – you name it, they were all over social media showering praise on the team. But then things took a wild turn. Congress leader Shama Mohamed initially criticized Rohit's weight and captaincy, only to later praise the win. Her initial comments caused a huge uproar, drawing fire from the BJP and the BCCI. It just goes to show the intense pressure and scrutiny Rohit's under.
The Dhoni Comparison: A Heavyweight Debate
Rohit's led India to the final of all four major ICC events. That’s a seriously impressive record, unmatched by any other captain, even legends like MS Dhoni! Dhoni has those three ICC titles under his belt, but Rohit's consistent run in these big tournaments is raising some serious questions about who truly is India’s greatest ODI captain. It's a complex discussion, considering their different leadership styles and the different contexts they captained in.
KL Rahul's Fightback
KL Rahul's unbeaten 43 in the semi-final showcased the incredible depth of India's batting lineup. He also recently addressed the ongoing chatter about his place in the ODI squad. He talked about the inconsistent ODI schedule and the constant need to prove himself. But he also highlighted the unwavering support he gets from Captain Rohit, showing the strong bond between them.
The Verdict? Still Out
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy? It’s still a hot topic. While the semi-final win was massive, the debate around his tactical decisions and leadership style will likely rumble on until the very end of the tournament. The final will be another huge test – a chance for him to really solidify his legacy, or for the critics to find more ammunition.
