The concocted Rohit conundrum
This piece reflects on the public's tendency to idolize and then criticize Indian cricketers, specifically focusing on Rohit Sharma's career trajectory. It highlights his recent successes in the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy contrasted against his struggles in Test cricket leading to his retirement.
Why it matters
It explores the intense cultural pressure and scrutiny faced by high-profile athletes in India.
One of the inexplicable but more frenzied universal endeavours is to go to great lengths to install an individual on a pedestal, and then work equally hard in seeking to derive vicarious pleasure by systematically pulling that same individual down. In India, especially, that privilege is reserved for sportspersons in general, and cricketers particularly. No one has been immune to this syndrome, not Jasprit Bumrah or Virat Kohli, not even Sachin Tendulkar or Anil Kumble. So, why should Rohit Sharma be an exception?
The article offers a subjective cultural critique but remains balanced in its assessment of the player's career highs and lows.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in