BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia responded on Monday to controversial comments made by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed about Team India captain Rohit Sharma’s physical appearance.
Mohamed posted on social media platform X, later deleting it, suggesting that the Indian cricket team’s captain needed to lose weight and called him the country’s most unimpressive captain.
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Her comments came after Rohit Sharma scored 15 runs from 17 balls during Sunday’s Champions Trophy match against New Zealand.
“It’s very unfortunate this kind of remarks come from such a person who is on a responsible post to our captain, on a meanwhile time when India is playing an ICC tournament and the team is all set to play Semi final,” Devajit Saikia, BCCI Secretary said while speaking to news agency ANI.
The controversy escalated when BJP criticised the Congress party, pointing out their electoral losses under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership while defending Sharma’s captaincy.
“It was a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson. 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…” Mohamed told ANI.
“Those who have lost 90 elections under captaincy of Rahul Gandhi are calling captaincy of Rohit Sharma unimpressive! I guess 6 ducks in Delhi and 90 election losses is impressive but winning T20 World Cup isn’t! Rohit has a brilliant track record as captain by the way!” Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X.
Congress MP Rajani Patil addressed the situation, stating the party’s position on the matter.
“I personally and the party also will not approve of body shaming anyone. Talking this way about a sportsperson who represents the country is not right. The party will seek a response from her on this,” Patil said.
On the cricket field, India secured a 44-run victory against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
The team’s strategy to field four spinners, replacing Harshit Rana, proved successful as they effectively contained the New Zealand batting lineup.
India finished at the top of Group A with six points after winning their third consecutive match, while New Zealand secured second place with four points.
The victory ensures India’s progress to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy tournament.
