BIPIN DANI
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, who became a father for the second time (his wife delivered a baby-boy) in a local hospital in Mumbai on Friday and may miss the first Test match against Australia in Perth beginning next week. Rohit had communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he wishes to stay back with his family and 2nd newborn for a few more days. He is likely to be available for selection for the second Test of the series.
This decision by Rohit Sharma has sparked a debate on balancing professional commitments with personal milestones, highlighting the varied perspectives within the cricketing community on leadership and family priorities.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on Rohit's decision, suggesting that if he misses the first Test, he should continue to participate as a player for the remainder of the series rather than as captain. Gavaskar proposed that Jasprit Bumrah should take over the captaincy duties for the entire series, emphasizing the need for continuity in leadership.
Former India pace bowler, Karsan Ghavri has backed Gavaskar's views. Speaking exclusively, he says, "Better Rohit Sharma takes a break. He will not be able to concentrate and do justice to both the places. National duty comes 1st. On the war field soldiers' mothers/ father, wife/ sister / child pass away, but they don’t run away from war. Gavaskar himself saw his 1st born son Rohan after a month (after the West Indies tour was over in 70s).
However, former spinner, Maninder Singh is not ready to buy doesn't buy tyese arguments.
"The birth of a child is always an emotional moment in anyone's life and if Rohit wanted to be with his wife during this period, he should be given this opportunity. How many times he or anyone else would get this moment in his life? She will be the best person to support his wife at the time. If I were at his place, I too would have sought a break. I was not on cricket duty but stood behind my wife at the time of delivery of my two children (son and daughter)", Maninder added.
Adding further, Maninder said, "Rohit is an international professional cricketer and can easily be adjusted to the match conditions once he reaches Australia for the remaining matches. It will be upto the selection committee and the coach (Gautam Gambhir) whether to make him captain for the remaining Tests. It will be a dicey situation if the new captain succeeds in his absence but it is generally the senior player, who regains his place if he misses out any match for injury or illness or for any reason".
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has shown his support for Rohit Sharma's choice. Finch emphasized the significance of staying home with one's family during such a special time, considering it a beautiful moment that deserves to be cherished.
Virat Kohli had twice chosen family over cricket. In January 2021, he missed three Tests in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia to welcome his first child, Vamika, with his wife, Anushka Sharma. Kohli’s second paternity leave came in February 2024, when he skipped England’s Test series to welcome his son Akaay in London, showing his commitment to family life.
Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah celebrated the arrival of his first child, Angad, in September 2023. Bumrah left the Asia Cup midway to attend the birth, later rejoining the team during the Super Four stage. His absence was managed effectively by Team India, but Bumrah’s prioritisation of family over cricket earned praise from fans.
