Shama Mohamed Congratulates Team India, Lauds Virat Kohli In Champions Trophy Post Amid Rohit Sharma Row

Last Updated:March 05, 2025, 00:02 IST

Mohamed stoked a massive row, calling Rohit Sharma “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had”. Later, her party Congress told her to remove the controversial post after backlash

Congress leader sparks row with “fat” remark on Rohit Sharma (PTI Photo)

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who made headlines for fat-shaming Indian men’s cricket team Rohit Sharma, on Tuesday congratulated the Men in Blue for entering into the ICC Champions Trophy’s final.

The Congress leader praised ODI cricket legend Virat Kohli for the match-winning 84 runs in the knock-out match against Australia.

She said that she is very happy today that India has won the semi-final match against Australia under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma

“Congratulations to #TeamIndia for their spectacular victory against Australia in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy 2025. A big shout out to @imVkohli for scoring 84 and to be the first player to score 1000 runs in ICC knock out tournaments!” she wrote in the post on X.

Virat Kohli top-scored with 84 as India entered the final of the Champions Trophy with a four-wicket win over Australia. Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs and India chased it down with 11 balls to spare.

‘Virat Kohli Plays British Game’: Congress Leader Shama Mohamed’s Post Resurfaces Amid Rohit Sharma Row

Mohamed stoked a massive row, calling Rohit Sharma “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had”. Later, her party Congress told her to remove the controversial post after backlash.

“Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had!” she wrote in the now-deleted X post.

Later, she clarified that it was just a generic tweet about the fitness of a sportsperson. “It is not body shaming. It is about the fitness of a sportsperson. I always believe a sports person has to be fit. So, I felt he is a bit overweight, so I tweeted on that. I am being attacked for no reason,” Mohamed told ANI.

She added, “When I compared him to other captains like Dhoni, or for that matter Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, and Virat, so I put up a statement.”

She went on to say, “It [India] is a democracy. I have the right,” asking, “What’s wrong in saying?”

Sports Minister React To Shama Mohamed’s Remark

Reacting to Mohamed’s post, Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that such statements “undermine the hard work and sacrifices” of the sportspersons who represent the country on the global stage”. He said that such remarks indulging body shaming are “not only deeply shameful but also outright pathetic.”

“Congress and TMC should leave sportspersons alone as they are fully capable of handling their professional lives. Remarks made by leaders from these parties, indulging in body shaming and questioning an athlete’s place in the team, are not only deeply shameful but also outright pathetic,” he said in a post on X.