Select the most appropriate homonym.
He will bat for his friend's innocence.

Correct option is D

Option (d) is the correct meaning of the given idiom.
Given Idiom: bat for (someone/something) — to support/defend someone’s position or cause, especially publicly or strongly (Hindi: किसी का पक्ष लेना/समर्थन करना).
Example: In the debate, the lawyer batted for his client’s innocence.
Other related idioms and meanings:
· stand up for — to defend or support (किसी के समर्थन में खड़ा होना)
· stick up for — to speak in support of (पक्ष लेना)
· go to bat for — to actively intervene on behalf of (मदद/समर्थन के लिए आगे आना)
Why others are incorrect:
· (a) Criticize — opposite sense.
· (b) Play cricket — literal “to bat”; context is figurative.
· (c) Hit — literal action; does not fit the idiomatic usage.