There’s been some buzz about the Hitman.

Just a day before India faces Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal, Rohit Sharma has been labeled “fat for a sportsman” by Shama Mohamed, a spokesperson for Congress.

The Indian captain hasn’t exactly shined in the Champions Trophy so far. His top score is just 41 against Bangladesh in the opener. At 37, he’s had some promising starts but hasn’t managed to stick around. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that an opening batsman shouldn’t just aim to bat for 10 overs and suggested Sharma should focus on staying at the crease longer.

While Mohamed’s comment was pretty harsh and unnecessary, she’s not the only one critiquing Sharma’s recent form.

Now, about the weight comment.

Sharma would probably agree he’s not exactly in the running for the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum of Abs. He once shared a funny story with R Ashwin about sneaking out late at night during the IPL for some pav bhaji at Chowpatty.

He’s the kind of player who leans more on timing and cricketing smarts. As long as he can still pull off his signature shots, he’s good to go. And let’s be real, you don’t become a white-ball legend with a World Cup trophy, multiple IPL titles, and a bunch of personal accolades without having some serious talent.

This episode brings back an old discussion in cricket: Should players look like typical jocks?

With the rise of T20 cricket, even the lower-order batsmen need to step up their game, and the focus on fitness and nutrition has made cricketers as fit as footballers and tennis stars.

Not too long ago, many thought cricket didn’t require intense gym sessions. Some legendary players were skeptical about too much training off the field. When John Wright and Greg Chappell took on coaching roles in India, their emphasis on fitness and diet often clashed with the players' habits. Wright was taken aback by the tradition of players lounging around with sweet tea and biscuits after practice, so he put an end to it.

Icons like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Inzamam-ul Haq, and Shane Warne weren’t exactly gym enthusiasts; they did just enough to rely on their natural cricketing talent.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has proven he can take fitness seriously. After being left out of the 2011 World Cup squad and seeing footage that highlighted his growing waistline, he dedicated himself to a boot camp with former teammate Abhishek Nayar. Their intense workouts, as described by ‘The Cricket Monthly,’ included cycling uphill, pushing cars, chopping wood, and lifting heavy tires.

However, at 37 and with so many achievements under his belt, Sharma often defaults to that laid-back, Dad Bod vibe.

Maybe Shama Mohamed’s remarks will motivate him to shake off any laziness or complacency before the match against Australia. Just like Rocky!

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