‘If you want slim guys, pick models' - Sunil Gavaskar slams Shama Mohamed for body-shaming Rohit Sharma

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has come out in support of Rohit Sharma, responding to the recent statements made about the Indian skipper’s fitness. Gavaskar’s response was targeted at the Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who triggered a huge controversy by calling Rohit “fat for a sportsperson.” The legendary batter pointed out that cricketing ability, not body size, should be the primary criteria for selection.

The debate over Rohit Sharma’s fitness was sparked when Shama Mohamed posted on social media, questioning whether the Indian captain’s physique was ideal for a professional athlete. The tweet quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from fans and experts alike. Gavaskar was against this criticism, believing that cricket is not a modelling competition and that players should be judged by their performance rather than their physique.

"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?" Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

I don’t think size has anything to do with it: Sunil Gavaskar

Furthermore, the former India legend said that mental strength and endurance are far more critical in cricket than physical appearance. Sunil Gavaskar also gave the example of Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan, who had to wait for his international debut due to fitness reasons. However, the right-handed batter impressed many once he got the chance to perform at the highest level.

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"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," he further added.

Meanwhile, the Indian skipper continues to be one of the most consistent batters in international cricket. His ability to provide solid starts and anchor innings on tricky pitches has made him a vital cog in the Indian team. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final but fell short against Australia. However, in 2024, the side managed to lift the T20 World Cup title under Rohit.

Now, with the Champions Trophy 2025 reaching its business end, the veteran batter has another opportunity to lead the side to yet another ICC glory. His performances in the tournament have been critical in the league stage.