"What a shame" - Rohit Sharma roasted by fans for signing autograph for rape accused Sandeep Lamichhane after IND vs NEP Asia Cup game
India captain Rohit Sharma has been at the receiving end of fan fury on social media ever since he gave an autograph to rape accused Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane. Rohit gave Lamichhane the autograph shortly after the India-Nepal game at Pallekele in Sri Lanka on Monday, September 4.
In several pictures that have gone viral on X (previously known as Twitter), Rohit can be seen signing on Lamichhane’s jersey. The spinner was also seen smiling as he posed with Rohit.
Earlier this year, Scotland players refused to shake hands with Sandeep Lamichhane after an ODI in Kirtipur on February 17, due to his rape charges.
For the uninitiated, Lamichhane has been accused of raping a minor in 2022. He was taken into police custody in October last year before being released on January 13. He was initially suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), but the suspension was lifted in February.
An investigation is being conducted against him under Section 219 of the Criminal Code 2074. If found guilty, he will serve a prison term for 10-12 years.
Lamichhane is currently out on bail. The 23-year-old got clearance from the Supreme Court to travel abroad in March earlier this year.
On the professional front, Lamichhane is Nepal's highest wicket-taker with 197 scalps in 95 games across formats.
Several fans on X roasted Rohit Sharma for his gesture towards Sandeep Lamichhane on Monday. One user wrote:
"Is this man an accuse of that shameless thing!"
Here are some of the other best reactions:
Rohit Sharma returns to form ahead of the IND vs PAK Super 4 Asia Cup clash
Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has returned to form in the lead-up to the Indo-Pak Super 4 clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 10.
Rohit smashed an unbeaten 74 runs off 59 balls, including five sixes and six boundaries, against Nepal in Monday's match which India won by 10 wickets. He has become the first captain to complete 1,000 runs in international cricket this year.
In the opening game, the right-handed batter was cleaned up by ace Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi, departing for 11 off 22 deliveries.
Rohit needs 78 runs to become only the sixth Indian to complete 10,000 runs in ODIs. Others on the elite list are Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and MS Dhoni.