Former India captain Rohit Sharma displayed his compassionate side off the field during a practice session at Mumbai's iconic Shivaji Park on Friday, angrily confronting security personnel for roughly stopping a young fan eager to meet him. In a viral video circulating on social media, Sharma is seen packing his kit after an intense two-hour net session when a boy darts toward him amid a swelling crowd. A bodyguard intervenes forcefully, grabbing the child, prompting Sharma to yell in Hindi, "Arre ruk jaa, chhod de usko! (Stop, let him go!)," his voice laced with fury as he gestures emphatically. The incident, lasting mere seconds, underscores Sharma's reputation for unfiltered authenticity and protectiveness toward admirers, especially children.
Sharma, 38, was deep in preparations for India's upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia, starting October 19 in Perth, marking his return to white-ball cricket after nearly seven months. Training alongside confidants like former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and ex-Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, he faced a relentless barrage of deliveries, honing his signature lofted covers and slog sweeps against seam and spin.
Nayar, doubling as a mentor, provided tactical inputs, while Kulkarni simulated bouncy Australian conditions with a sharp pace. The session drew massive crowds, forcing Nayar to plead with fans outside the nets: "Koi dhakka mat dena, hum sab fans hain, lekin usko lagna nahi chahiye (Don't push; we're all fans, but he shouldn't get hurt)." Sharma's recent ouster as ODI skipper in favour of Shubman Gill has fuelled speculation about his future, but his focus remains razor-sharp, with both he and Virat Kohli reinstated for the Down Under tour.
The heartwarming yet tense moment quickly amassed over a million views on X, with fans praising Sharma's grounded demeanour. One clip, shared by user @Crickaith, captured the bodyguard's aggressive restraint, amplifying calls for better crowd management at public training spots. Sharma, a two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain and Mumbai's "Hitman", has long endeared himself through such gestures—recalling his 2023 gesture of signing autographs for kids during rain delays. Shivaji Park, the cradle of Indian cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, became a frenzy zone as word spread of Sharma's presence, blending nostalgia with modern stardom.
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As India eyes redemption in Australia after a mixed white-ball record there, Sharma's off-field warmth contrasts his on-pitch aggression. The series, culminating on October 25 in Sydney, will test his form amid leadership transitions. For now, the young fan's beaming smile post-meet serves as a reminder: in cricket's high-stakes world, humanity often steals the show.
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