Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed found herself at the center of controversy after making a critical remark about Team India captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness during the India vs New Zealand match. Her comment, in which she labeled the cricketer a “fat sportsman” and questioned his leadership abilities, triggered widespread backlash from fans, social media users, and political opponents. While she initially stood by her words, defending them as an expression of free speech, she later deleted the post following intervention from her party.
Shama Mohamed’s post, which read, “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive captain India has ever had,” was met with sharp criticism. Many cricket fans highlighted Rohit Sharma’s achievements, including India’s strong performances under his captaincy, and dismissed the remarks as unwarranted. As the controversy gained traction, she attempted to clarify her stance, stating that her comment was generic and not intended as a personal attack. She expressed concern over the inability to voice opinions in a democracy, adding, “I fail to understand how, in a democracy, we don’t have the right to speak.”
The remark also drew political reactions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching an attack on Congress. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari condemned the comment, accusing Congress of targeting the Indian cricket captain for political mileage. “Shame on Congress! Now they are going after the Indian Cricket Captain! Do they expect Rahul Gandhi to now play cricket after failing in Indian politics?” he remarked. Bhandari further alleged that the remark reflected Congress’s “Emergency mindset” and disrespected patriotic cricket fans who support the national team.
In addition to political criticism, Shama Mohamed also engaged in an online exchange with a Pakistan-based sports journalist who praised Rohit Sharma as a “mighty effective and world-class performer.” Responding to the journalist, she dismissed the idea, arguing that Rohit Sharma did not compare to past Indian cricket legends such as Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev, and Ravi Shastri. “He is a mediocre captain as well as a mediocre player who got lucky to be the captain of India,” she stated.
While Shama Mohamed ultimately deleted the post, the controversy underscored the volatile intersection of politics and sports in India. Her comments ignited passionate debates, with many defending Rohit Sharma’s contributions to Indian cricket while others questioned whether political figures should comment on players’ performances.
