Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh didn’t hold back when he responded to criticism from social media users targeting Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The backlash came after Rohit decided to sit out of the final Test match of the ongoing series in Australia, a move that sparked mixed reactions online.

One particular social media user took a dig at Rohit while praising former captain MS Dhoni. The user called Rohit’s decision to step aside “cowardly” and claimed that Dhoni was a true leader who made tough decisions for the team’s benefit. The comment, translated from Hindi, said: “Does a real leader abandon the team on the field? This isn’t selflessness; it’s cowardice. Dhoni was a leader who could make bold calls, even dropping senior players for the team.”

In response, Harbhajan hit back with a cryptic yet sharp retort: “I know who ran away 😎 Should I remind you? I can tell you the reason too. It’ll give you goosebumps.”

Rohit’s absence from the Sydney Test came after a string of low scores in the series—he managed just 31 runs across five innings. He had earlier missed the first Test in Perth to be with his family for the birth of his second child but returned to lead India in the next three matches.

During a broadcast interview on Day 2 of the Sydney Test, Rohit addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to sit out. He clarified that it was not a step toward retirement and explained that he needed time to reflect on his form. The Indian skipper said, “This is not about retirement. I’m not stepping away from cricket. I took this call because my batting isn’t where it should be right now. That doesn’t mean it won’t improve in the future. Cricket teaches you that things can change in an instant.”

Rohit also expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back, saying, “I believe I can turn things around, but I also have to be realistic about where I am at the moment.”

So far, Rohit has played 67 Test matches in his career, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. While his recent performances have been underwhelming, the Indian captain remains determined to find his form again and contribute to the team in the future.