“Rohit Sharma Is Fat” Congress Sparks Outrage, BJP Defends Cricket Star
A political storm erupted after Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed labeled Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had.” Her remarks, posted on X after India’s 44-run win over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy on March 2, triggered widespread backlash. Mohamed deleted the post amid the uproar, but the damage was done.
The comment came after Rohit scored 15 runs off 17 balls in the match. Critics, including BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, slammed Congress for targeting a national hero. “Those who lost 90 elections under Rahul Gandhi call Rohit unimpressive? Winning the T20 World Cup isn’t enough?” Poonawalla said, highlighting Rohit’s stellar record, including a 72% win rate across formats and multiple IPL titles.
Poonawalla didn’t stop there. He accused Congress of shifting from opposing India’s institutions to attacking its cricket team. “They’re not ‘Mohabbat ki dukan’ but ‘Nafrat ke bhaijan,’” he quipped, pointing to their “fat-shaming” as proof of intolerance. Social media echoed his sentiment, with users like Harish noting, “Rohit rallies a nation—Rahul can’t even rally his party.”
ALSO READ | Sensex Jumps 450 Points, Nifty Tops 22,200: Stock Market Rebounds Amid Positive Signals
Mohamed doubled down, questioning Rohit’s captaincy decisions, like his batting order tweak during the MCG Test in 2024, which she called “selfish.” She also referenced India’s loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. But defenders, including journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, praised Rohit’s leadership. “He’s led a world-class white-ball team with a superb cricket brain,” Sardesai said, urging critics to focus on runs, not weight.
This isn’t the first time Rohit’s fitness has been questioned. In December 2024, ex-South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan called him “overweight” compared to Virat Kohli. Yet, Rohit’s fans point to his 2024 T20 World Cup triumph as proof of his enduring impact.
The controversy has fans and politicians divided. While Congress faces heat for disrespecting a cricket icon, BJP has seized the moment to champion Rohit’s legacy—and take a swipe at Rahul Gandhi’s electoral flops. As the Champions Trophy continues, all eyes are on Rohit to silence his critics on the field.
