Rohit Sharma Called “Unimpressive” by Congress, Sparks Outrage
Congress leader Shama Mohamed's remarks on Rohit Sharma spark backlash, with BJP and social media users slamming her comments on the Indian captain’s fitness.
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Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed sparked controversy by criticizing Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, calling him "overweight" and "the most unimpressive captain India has ever had." Her remarks came after Sharma was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls in India’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, a game India won by 44 runs. Following intense backlash on social media, Mohamed deleted her post.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly responded to Mohamed’s remarks, accusing Congress of targeting the Indian cricket team. He alleged that those who once opposed the country were now attacking its athletes. Poonawalla further criticized Congress’s "shop of love" narrative, branding it as "messengers of hate."
He also drew comparisons between Congress’s electoral failures and their criticism of Sharma’s leadership. “Those who have lost 90 elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership are calling Rohit Sharma an unimpressive captain,” he said, highlighting Sharma’s success in leading India to victories.
Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai also weighed in, questioning Mohamed’s criticism. “Judge a player by his performance, not his weight,” he remarked. Sardesai praised Sharma’s strategic decisions and leadership, citing his multiple IPL titles and strong record as India’s captain.
Amid the controversy, Mohamed defended her stance, referring to Sharma’s captaincy decisions, including a past tactical move involving KL Rahul. She pointed to India’s World Cup loss in Ahmedabad as another factor in her assessment.
As the backlash grew, Congress sought to contain the damage. Party media chief Pawan Khera clarified that Mohamed’s remarks did not reflect the party’s stance. He confirmed that she had been asked to delete her post and exercise greater caution in the future. Khera reiterated Congress’s respect for sporting icons and their contributions.
The controversy ignited widespread debate online, with many users condemning Mohamed’s remarks as body-shaming. Some compared Sharma’s win percentage in international cricket to Congress’s poor electoral performance, while others defended the cricketer’s achievements despite fitness concerns.
This is not the first time Sharma’s fitness has been questioned. Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan previously commented on Sharma’s physical condition, drawing comparisons with Virat Kohli and questioning his long-term viability in Test cricket.
