Rohit Sharma fat-shamed by Congress: Uncalled-for attack before India vs Australia Champions Trophy clash

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On the eve of India vs Australia semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Dubai, Rohit Sharma grabs headlines. No, not for his quotable quotes or how he has led the team but how Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed has fat-shamed the India skipper.

What was the provocation for Shama, who describes herself as a dentist, to say ugly things about Rohit Sharma is baffling. Does it have to do with anything personal or just the skipper's appearance, fans are perplexed.

It is well-known, Rohit has always been a bit chubby though his BMI (body mass index) has been described in the normal range, taking into account his height and weight. This is as per medical doctors' posts on social media.

It is clear that the comments from Dr Shama Mohamed, a dentist and not a fitness expert, have now attained political contours, with even the TMC from Bengal jumping into the fray. Are politicians supposed to rejoice in an India skipper leading with panache or slam him for being fat.

Being fat is something which has to be assessed by a fitness expert or doctors/physios who deals with the Indian team. Till now, there has been no complaint of obesity in the Indian camp, even though Rohit Sharma does not look as trim as previous captain Virat Kohli. A cricket captain has to perform. In the case of Rohit, he still bats at the top and scores quick runs, he fields as well as possible in 'slips' and also is a shrewd captain.

Are the Congress leaders now so obsessed with India defeating Pakistan emphatically in the Champions Trophy opener, Rohit Sharma has been targeted. It would have been appropriate to wish Team India on the eve of a big match against Australia, since the records are in favour of the yellow brigade.

The whole thing has spread like wildfire, and Dr Shama Mohamed has now deleted her post on X (Twitter). It is well known, cricket in India has more than a political touch. That is why India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. In fact, Pakistan is the butt of ridicule as they not only crashed out of the tournament but also showcased new stadia, poor in quality, where the roof was leaking. Even more pathetic was the drainage system at two venues in Pakistan.

Is the comment from the Congress, backed by the TMC, a political attempt to malign Rohit, since he has the Sharma surname. He is a Brahmin by birth and it is nobody's fault he uses that title. Going by all that which appears on social media, it is clear Rohit has been targetted in person and also as the national leader of the Indian cricket team.

After the lows in the BGT Series in Australia, India have bounced back in the ODIs, first against England in India and now the Champions Trophy. For Team India to win three matches in the Champions Trophy, against Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand is no mean feat.

If anything, each political party should be supporting Team India. Rohit Sharma has an envious record as a player and skipper across formats. He led India to the ICC T20 World Cup last year in the West Indies. Is the Congress political party becoming so intolerant that a simpleton like Rohit Sharma is now being victimised.

Attempts by Dr Shama Mohamed to clear the air by talking to a few wire service agencies is too late. She started the fire and now the flames have spread. If you don't like India winning cricket matches, something is wrong. The Congress party leadership owes an explanation. For the record, Rajeev Shukla, BCCI Vice President and a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha has offered his comment: "He (Rohit) is absolutely fit and fine."

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