The cricketing world erupted in controversy recently after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed took a dig at Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, calling him “fat for a sportsman” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had” in a now-deleted post on X.
However, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was quick to shut down the criticism, emphasizing that a player’s success is determined by mental strength, not physical appearance.
“I have always said, if you want only slim guys, then you should go to a modelling competition and pick all the models. It’s not about that. It’s about how well you can play cricket. We talked about Sarfaraz Khan—he was vilified for a long time because he was on the heavier side.
But if he scores 150 for India in a Test match and follows it up with another two or three fifty-plus scores, then what’s the issue? I don’t think size has anything to do with it. It’s your mental strength—whether you can last the distance—that’s the most important thing. Bat well, bat for long, and score runs,” Gavaskar told India Today.
Rohit Sharma has already cemented his place as one of India’s most successful captains. He led the team to a historic triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, ending India’s long wait for an ICC trophy. Under his calm yet aggressive leadership, India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final, reclaiming their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
Recently, Rohit guided India to yet another ICC title, leading them to victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy. In the final against New Zealand, he played a match-winning knock, scoring 76 runs to help India secure a four-wicket win and claim their third ICC Champions Trophy. With two ICC titles as captain, Rohit has firmly established himself as one of India’s greatest leaders.