Rohit Sharma walks off the field after losing his wicket during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal cricket match between India and Australia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Photo : AP
Backing India captain Rohit Sharma, who was subjected to fat-shaming, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday said that slim guys are for modelling and in cricket, mental strength is what matters, not physical size.
"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," Gavaskar told India Today.
"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."
Earlier, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed called Rohit "fat for a sportsman" and described him as "the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had."
Uninon sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya had also slammed these comments on Rohit’s physique and fitness on Monday.
“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,” the minister had posted on X.
“Such comments undermine the hard work and sacrifices that our sportspersons make to represent the country on the global stage,” he had added.
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