Former India cricketer and commentator Ravi Shastri recently posted an image with Rohit Sharma on social media, after meeting the India captain during a walk in London.
The image went viral among the cricket fraternity, not only because the two shared a warm moment but also because of Shastri's caption.
Introducing a snap to X, Shastri captioned, "Great bumping into a laid back Shaaaarma on a walk through London." The phrase "a laid back Shaaaarma" escalated into a full-blown debate among fans following the Indian team's ODI series against England last month.
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Rohit appeared happy in the photo and very smart with a shirt on and looked fitter after he had shed a couple of kilos in a couple of months. Shastri had one arm around Rohit's shoulder and was pointing to the person with his other hand, both smiling happily.
Lord's Century Changed The Conversation
It was held a mere couple of weeks after Rohit Sharma proved himself to be the answer to all questions relating to his place in the side with a magnificent century at Lord's.
Reflecting before the third ODI against England, there were also reports that Rohit was no longer a part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The report instigated wide discussion across Indian cricket before the claims were soon denied by the BCCI.
With what many thought could have been his last ODI, Rohit came of age at Lord's by netting a stunning 138 off 111 balls. India, though, lost the series 2-1; Rohit's knock almost blunted the critics and proved that he was one of the best openers in the game and deserved a place in international cricket for a long time to come.
Later, addressing the media after the innings, Rohit clarified that his 'commitment is only towards India'.
"You know the job I have is with the bat. So come and let me play, let me represent my country, let me represent the team. That's what I've been told to do, from the time I made my debut.So that's what I am going to do. You know the noise was there since I made my debut. And as long as I'm here, it's always going to be there."
He also claimed external opinion does not matter to him.
He further noted :
"So it's not really too much. It's just that I care about what I can do to help the team win. At the moment, that's my only concern, and I let the noise be there because without the noise there is no fun. I'm so comfortable from inside, and they stay on the outside. That's just how I take it."
It is open to speculation whether Shastri's "relaxed Shaaaarma" comment was in respect of Rohit's "laidback" demeanour or in the wake of his match-winning hundred. Either way, what is clear is that Rohit seems to be back enjoying his cricket and is still committed to Delhi's cause.