BCCI reacts to Rohit Sharma fat-shame controversy, says India captain is fit after Congress' Shama Mohamed controversial remark

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly condemned comments made by Congress National Spokesperson Shama Mohamed regarding Rohit Sharma's physique. The board's top officials defended the India captain, emphasizing his fitness and dismissing the remarks as baseless.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed disappointment over Mohamed's comments, urging support for the national team instead of unnecessary criticism during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

"These comments are baseless and derogatory. When the team is playing in the Champions Trophy and doing well, this is the time when one needs to support Team India," Saikia told India Today.

Shama Mohamed had taken to social media, calling Rohit Sharma "fat for a sportsperson" and labeling him "the most unimpressive captain" in India's history. The post sparked outrage, prompting her to delete it following pressure from within her party.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also defended Rohit, stating, "It is her personal views and tweets. The party has nothing to do with it. Rohit is fit and doing well. Our team is doing well under his leadership. He is a great player."

Despite perceptions about his physique, Rohit Sharma has consistently maintained high fitness standards. The Indian team's strength and conditioning coach, Ankit Kaliyar, had previously addressed concerns about Rohit's fitness, stating that the captain regularly clears the Yo-Yo test without any issues.

"Rohit Sharma is a fit player. He has good fitness. He looks a bit bulky, but he always passes the Yo-Yo test. He is as fit as Virat Kohli. He looks like he is bulky, but we have seen him on the field. His agility and mobility are amazing. He is among the fittest cricketers," Kaliyar told The Times of India in 2023.

Rohit has rarely missed matches due to fitness concerns and continues to lead India with distinction. His record across formats speaks for itself, with over 11,000 runs in ODIs and more than 8,000 runs across Tests and T20Is.

Rohit's Legacy as India's Captain
A two-time ICC trophy-winning player, Rohit was part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad and played a key role in the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph. In 2024, he led India to T20 World Cup glory in Barbados, becoming only the third Indian captain after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni to win a World Cup.