Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma faced another setback in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, falling for just 9 runs in the second innings. Despite showing resilience early on, Sharma edged a delivery from Pat Cummins to Mitchell Marsh at gully. This marked Cummins' sixth dismissal of Sharma in Test cricket, further intensifying scrutiny on the Indian skipper.

The 38-year-old batter has endured a tough year, scoring only 619 runs in 26 innings at a subpar average of 24.76. His recent performances have been even more dismal, accumulating just 164 runs in his last 15 innings at an average of 10.93. Fans and critics alike have started questioning whether it’s time for Sharma to step away from Test cricket.

Fans’ Reactions on Social Media

Social media platforms have been flooded with posts, memes, and trends like ‘Happy Retirement,’ urging Sharma to call it quits. Many fans expressed their disappointment, with some thanking him for his contributions to Indian cricket but pleading for his retirement, saying, “We can’t see you like this; please step away.”

Dear Rohit Sharma, don't let this happen to you, Take retirement gracefully 🥺

Happy Retirement #RohitSharma𓃵#INDvsAUSTest
pic.twitter.com/6mgx1BblsJ

— Veena Jain (@DrJain21) December 30, 2024

One viral post showcased his scores from the last 15 innings, highlighting the alarming drop in his performance:

Rohit Sharma in Last 15 Innings
6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3, 9

Runs : 164
Average : 10.93
Happy retirement rohit. Thanks for your shitty service#AUSvINDIA #AUSvIND #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/8wOu135bK8

— Anup Jha (@AnupJha_18) December 30, 2024

The Bigger Dilemma for Selectors

Commentator Harsha Bhogle took to social media to emphasize the tough decisions selectors now face. Without naming Sharma directly, Bhogle stated, “It is always difficult to take a call on a senior player. But can it get more difficult than when the player is the captain? Big call for the selectors in the next couple of days.”

It is always difficult to take a call on a senior player. But can it get more difficult than when the player is the captain? Big call for the selectors in the next couple of days.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2024

This sentiment resonates as India prepares for the Sydney Test, beginning January 3. The leadership dilemma looms large, with parallels being drawn to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unexpected retirement from Test cricket in 2014 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent decision to step down.

The Melbourne Debacle

Sharma’s dismissal on Day 5 of the Melbourne Test initiated a dramatic collapse. KL Rahul departed for a duck in the same over, while Virat Kohli threw away his wicket at the stroke of lunch, leaving India at a precarious 33/3 in their pursuit of a daunting 340-run target.

As calls for Rohit Sharma’s retirement grow louder, his fans and critics seem united in their concern. The once-reliable opener and current captain now face a critical juncture in his career. Whether he decides to follow the path of Dhoni and Ashwin or fights to regain form remains to be seen. One thing, however, is clear: the pressure is mounting, and the spotlight will remain firmly on Sharma in the coming days.