- Wednesday, April 30, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
India’s final phase of preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia saw a disastrous start on Tuesday (20) when they lost to reigning T20 world champions Australia in the first match of the three-game series at home by four wickets despite scoring more than 200.
The visitors, led by Aaron Finch, made an impressive start to their chase of 209 and despite the home team making a quick comeback in the middle overs, big hitting by the likes of Matthew Wade towards the end meant Rohit Sharma’s men failed to defend the daunting total in 20 overs at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Punjab.
As India found themselves under pressure from a competitive Australian side, something unusual was seen happening on the ground. Pacer Umesh Yadav, who made a comeback into the national side after some years, removed Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the 12th over, both of whom were caught by Dinesh Karthik, who was playing as the wicket-keeper.
Yadav removed Maxwell following a successful DRS (decision review system) call but Sharma was seen playfully grabbing Karthik’s face, an act that apparently gave the impression that the captain was not happy with his keeper. It was only a few deliveries before when India succeeded in sending Smith back through yet another DRS call.
Recently, Sharma made the headlines over his outbursts when some of his fielders, including youngster Arshdeep Singh, dropped catches in a vital game against arch-rivals Pakistan in Asia Cup.
Both Sharma and Karthik were part of the India squad that had won the inaugural World Cup in South Africa in 2007.
tough love pic.twitter.com/o1BYZrTZw8
— Sritama (Ross Taylor’s version) (@cricketpun_duh) September 20, 2022
The ‘aggressive’ gesture of Sharma became the talk of the town overnight and social media exploded over the same with funny reactions pouring in.
Same vibe pic.twitter.com/TdD4obExCk
— Manish Shaw (@manishS34) September 20, 2022
What Rohit Sharma thinks Dinesh Karthik's role in the team.#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/MRVX0W89C6
— 马松柏 (@BertonLeigh) September 6, 2022
Very Poor Captaincy and team Selection from Rohit Sharma. ?
Dinesh Kartik is always a better option then Hooda. #INDvSL#arshdeepsingh #RohitSharma? #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/GNnt2tr5Wf
— Himanshu Mishra (@Hima_nshu17) September 6, 2022
Next YouTube thumbnail:-
"Rohit Sharma tried to smooch Dinesh Karthik" ?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kgbW1YrwB3— Rajeev (@RajeevK12701562) September 20, 2022
Someone please save Dinesh Karthik
??
Rohit Sharma is beating him#RohitSharma #DineshKarthik #INDvsAUS #ViratKohli? pic.twitter.com/ZTIRaNHNy0— Pankaj Singh Mandloi (@SinghPankaj05) September 20, 2022
Dinesh kartik and Rohit Sharma in today's match.
It seems Mr. Sharma has watched Gangs of Wasseypur a lot. pic.twitter.com/20MWUWMuF5
— Sourav || সৌরভ (@Sourav_3294) September 20, 2022
