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Apart from leading the team on the cricket grounds, Rohit Sharma has been an inspiration for many. The 37-year-old cricketer is now blessed with his second baby (boy) with his wife Ritika Sajdeh due to which the Indian skipper missed the first match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). However, this time, Rohit seems to take a much-deserved break which sets the standards of how paternity leave is equally important as maternal leave.
Rohit Sharma Sets The Bar Of Parental Goals
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Over the years, the concept of parenting has evolved. Many new examples have changed the way the world looks at parenting. Earlier, it was seen as a woman’s responsibility to look after the baby as men would focus on their job. In February 2024, Virat Kohli made headlines as he missed the first two Test matches against England to spend time with his family as his wife Anushka Sharma was expecting their second child. However, this time, it is Rohit Sharma who proves paternity leave is just as important as maternal leave for many reasons.
Why Is Paternal Leave Important?
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The first and foremost aspect is equal parenting roles. Such leaves help both parents to have an equal share of responsibilities like bonding, feeding, and emotional support. Father supporting the mother during her labour pains is one of the most comforting feelings any woman can have. Not only does the father bond with their child in the early days, but the emotional connection helps form strong, lasting relationships that benefit the child's emotional development in the early days.
Research with 130 new fathers and their partners, across ten countries, conducted by McKinsey, found that paternity leave can provide a boost from lifting families’ relationships and finances to generating increased enthusiasm. It creates a less stressful environment particularly for women as their partner equally shares the burdens.
During the postpartum period, the mother’s emotional well-being improves when her partner, the baby’s father, is present and supportive. Various research has proved that a father’s involvement in the early stages of a child’s life can lead to great developmental outcomes as they come with a different approach to caregiving and emotional support. Apart from the child’s early days, it also strengthens the relationship of the couple making healthier family dynamics and better behavioural outcomes for the child.
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Policies Regarding Paternity Leave In India
According to Indian law, a male employee (including those on probation) can receive paternity leave if he has fewer than two surviving children. The leave can be granted for 15 days. This leave can be taken during his wife's childbirth, which includes up to 15 days before the delivery and up to six months after the baby is born. While on paternity leave, he will receive a salary equal to what he earned just before taking the leave.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma's decision to take paternity leave during a crucial cricket series highlights the evolving understanding of parenting roles in today's society. By prioritising his family's needs, the Indian skipper sets an important precedent for balancing professional commitments with personal milestones.
His absence from the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy shows how important it is for fathers to be there during important moments in life. It also highlights that paternity leave is just as important as maternal leave. This change in thinking encourages both parents to share responsibilities equally, which helps build stronger emotional connections between fathers and their children.
As more cricketers, like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, have also embraced similar choices, it reflects a growing recognition that supporting family life can coexist with high-level sports. Ultimately, Rohit Sharma's actions serve as an inspiration, promoting a healthier work-life balance and redefining traditional views on fatherhood in professional sports.