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Congress’ national spokesperson, Dr. Shama Mohammed, sparked controversy after making critical comments about Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness and leadership. In a now-deleted social media post, she called the cricketer “fat” and labeled him the “most unimpressive captain India has ever had.”
Her remarks, which followed Rohit’s dismissal for 15 runs off 17 balls during India’s final group match in the 2025 Champions Trophy, triggered backlash from political figures, former cricketers, and fans alike. Despite India’s commanding 44-run victory against New Zealand, securing a spot in the semifinals, Shama criticized Rohit’s performance and compared him unfavorably to previous Indian captains.
In her deleted post, she wrote: “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!” In another post, she questioned his reputation, stating, “What is so world-class about him when compared to his predecessors? He is a mediocre captain as well as a mediocre player who got lucky to be the captain of India.”Fat
The comments drew sharp reactions from the cricket community, with Rohit’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, expressing disbelief. Speaking to Republic TV, Lad said, “How can you say something like that about an international player? This is such a shameless thing to say. We all know Rohit’s potential and how he leads the team. I don’t need to comment further.”
Despite deleting the tweets at her party’s insistence, Shama defended her statements, claiming they were not intended as body-shaming. “It was a generic tweet about a sportsperson’s fitness. I believe athletes should maintain fitness, and I felt he was a bit overweight, so I tweeted about it. I’ve been attacked for no reason. When I compared him to previous captains, it was my opinion. What’s wrong with expressing that? It’s a democracy,” she told ANI.Fat
The Congress party clarified that her remarks did not reflect the party’s official stance, but the incident has already fueled intense debate online. While Shama insists her comments were misinterpreted, the uproar highlights the passionate connection fans have with Indian cricket and the respect Rohit Sharma commands as a leader.
, she called the cricketer “fat” and labeled him the “most unimpressive captain India has ever had.”
The controversy also brought renewed focus to the pressure and scrutiny faced by athletes, particularly in cricket-crazy countries like India. Rohit Sharma, who has been a key figure in Indian cricket for over a decade, has led the team to numerous victories, including significant ICC tournament wins and landmark series triumphs overseas. Fans rallied behind Rohit on social media, sharing clips of his match-winning performances and highlighting his fitness routines.Fat
Former Indian cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag also weighed in on the issue, defending Rohit’s capabilities and calling Shama’s comments unnecessary. “Rohit’s fitness is his business. What matters is his performance on the field, and he has delivered for India time and again,” Sehwag tweeted. Harbhajan added, “Criticism of gameplay is fair, but personal attacks on an athlete’s body are unacceptable. We should support our players, not tear them down.”
Political leaders, too, joined the discussion, with BJP spokespersons criticizing Shama’s remarks as insensitive and calling for politicians to show more restraint when commenting on public figures, especially athletes who represent the nation. “Athletes sacrifice a lot to reach where they are. Such comments demoralize not only the player but also aspiring young athletes,” said Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.Fat
Meanwhile, sources within the Congress party suggested that Shama had been advised to refrain from making further statements on the matter. A senior party leader, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the leadership was unhappy with the distraction caused by the controversy, especially with crucial state elections on the horizon. “The party’s focus should be on public issues, not social media spats,” the leader said.
As the storm raged on, Rohit Sharma himself remained silent, focusing on preparations for the Champions Trophy semifinal. Reports from the team camp suggested that the captain was unfazed by the controversy and more concerned with strategizing for the knockout stage. A source close to the team stated, “Rohit is a professional. He’s been through ups and downs in his career and knows how to block out the noise. His main priority is bringing the trophy home.”Fat
The incident also sparked a broader conversation about body image in sports. Fitness standards vary across disciplines, and while physical conditioning is crucial, performance remains the ultimate benchmark. Experts argued that athletes like Rohit, who have consistently delivered under pressure, should not be subjected to public body-shaming disguised as criticism.
In the days following the incident, several prominent sports psychologists spoke out, emphasizing the mental toll such remarks can take on athletes. Dr. Ananya Gupta, a leading sports psychologist, noted, “Public figures, especially athletes, already face immense pressure. Comments targeting their appearance can affect their mental health and overall performance. We need to foster a culture of encouragement, not criticism.”Fat
Fans and fellow cricketers continued to show their support for Rohit, flooding social media with hashtags like #WeStandWithRohit and #CaptainHitman. As the Indian team geared up for the semifinal clash, the outpouring of love and encouragement served as a reminder of the nation’s unwavering faith in their captain.Fat
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While the controversy may eventually fade, it highlighted the intense scrutiny athletes endure and the responsibility public figures have when voicing opinions. Whether or not Shama Mohammed intended to body-shame, her words sparked a necessary dialogue on empathy, respect, and the true essence of sportsmanship.
