Picture Credit: X
Team India’s Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma has found himself embroiled in an unnecessary debate after a Congress leader, Shama Mohammed’s body-shaming remarks. Recently, the political leader made some stark remarks involving the 37-year-old which left several, including the members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) furious.
The politician’s remarks also triggered a massive controversy after the national spokesperson of the INC claimed that the cricketer needs to lose weight. It is to be noted that in the now deleted post on X (formerly called Twitter), Shama Mohammed wrote, “@ImRo45 is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And, of course, the most unimpressive captain India has ever had.”
BCCI Secretary hits back at Congress leader; claims the remarks to be “irresponsible, derogatory and baseless”
Although the post drew sharp reactions from not only the members of the cricketing fraternity, the opposition party, BJP also accused her of “body shaming”. Furthermore, the newly elected BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia responded on the matter and stated, "This is a very unfortunate statement. This kind of comment from responsible Quarters, especially at a time when the country’s national team is in the middle of a marque ICC tournament is uncalled for. This kind of irresponsible derogatory and baseless statement may have some adverse effect on an individual or the entire team. Therefore, I hope people can refrain from passing comments for their own personal publicity."
Not only this, the Congress leader thereafter claimed that “it was a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson.” Speaking with ANI, Shama Mohammed told, “It was not body-shaming. I always believed a sportsperson should be fit, and I felt he was a bit overweight, so I just tweeted about that. I have been attacked for no reason. When I compared him with previous captains, I put in a statement. I have the right. What is wrong in saying? It is a democracy..."
Speaking of Rohit Sharma, the 37-year-old is currently leading the Men in Blue in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Under his captaincy, the Indian team finally ended their long-awaited ICC trophy drought and heading for another one as they are scheduled to take on 2023 ODI World Cup winner, Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday, March 4.
