India’s opposition Congress party is under fire following controversial comments made by spokesperson Shama Mohammad about cricket captain Rohit Sharma.
In a tweet, Shama described Rohit as “overweight” and labeled him the “most unimpressive” captain in Indian cricket history.
Her remarks quickly sparked backlash, particularly from members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and cricket fans.
The Congress party intervened promptly, asking Mohammad to delete the tweet, which she complied with.
In the deleted tweet, Mohammad said, “Rohit Sharma is overweight as a player! He needs to lose weight! And in fact, he is the most unimpressive captain India has ever had!”
Her comments prompted swift criticism, with many accusing her of body-shaming the World Cup-winning captain.
When a Twitter user called Rohit a “world-class player,” Mohammad dismissed the claim, questioning his global standards and calling him an average player and captain.
Radhika Khera, a former Congress member now in the BJP, also condemned the party’s actions, accusing them of belittling athletes over the years.
In defense, Shama Mohammad stated that her tweet was simply a remark on fitness, not body-shaming.
She stressed the importance of athletes maintaining a healthy weight, while Congress distanced itself from her comments and advised more caution.
The controversy unfolded after India’s victory over New Zealand, securing a place in the semifinals of the 2025 Champions Trophy.