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'Damaging Country's Image': Rohit Sharma's Childhood Coach Blasts Shama Mohamed Over 'Fat-Shaming' Row

Rohit Sharma's childhood coach Dinesh Lad said making fat-shaming comments on the Indian captain "damages the image of the country". The uproar follows after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed made a distasteful remark during India's Champions Trophy final Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. Congress spokesperson took to X to blatantly call the Indian skipper "fat". “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had,” Shama wrote in a post on X which she later deleted following a backlash.

'Expecting Some Nervy Times": Rohit Sharma Ahead Of Champions Trophy Semifinals vs Australia

After securing a comprehensive 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final Group A match in Dubai, India is set to face Australia in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday. Skipper Rohit Sharma, addressing the media in the pre-match press conference, acknowledged Australia's strong history in ICC knockouts but emphasized that his team's focus remains on executing their plans effectively. When asked whether facing Australia in the semifinal adds 'extra motivation, given the Men in Blue's heartbreaking defeat to the same opponents in the 2023 World Cup final, Rohit dismissed any external factors influencing India's approach.

"Difficult To Read His Hand": Axar Patel Hails Varun Chakaravarthy's Mental Skills

Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel lavished praises on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in India's 44-run over New Zealand in the last Champions Trophy Group A game in Dubai, saying it is really difficult to read the spinner's mind, and if a batter misses his googly, there is a high chance of losing a wicket. New Zealand's bowlers did well to restrict India's batting line-up, with Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45) leading the way as the Asian side posted a competitive total of 249/9 after they were sent in to bat first.

Rohit Sharma Gives Big Reply To Pakistan Legends' 'Unfair Advantage' Allegations

Skipper Rohit Sharma struck down the notion of India having an unfair advantage in the Champions Trophy due to playing all their matches in Dubai, saying it is not their "home venue" and the pitches have thrown up "different challenges" to his side. Several former players from Pakistan, Australia and England have taken an exception to India staying in Dubai for the entire duration of the ICC showpiece, saying the move allowed them better chance to acclimatise to the conditions than other teams in Group A. "Every time, the pitch is giving you different challenges. The three matches that we played here, the pitch has behaved differently. This is not our home, this is Dubai. We don't play so many matches here, and this is new for us too," Rohit said during the pre-match press meet ahead of the semifinal against Australia.

'Pressure Will Be On Both Teams': Rohit Sharma On Semi-Final Against Australia

Skipper Rohit Sharma dismissed the thought that India are under added pressure against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal, and felt that "pressure to win" will be equal on both the teams. India have not beaten Australia in the ICC knockouts matches since winning the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal. "Look, they are a great opposition to play against. All we had to do is what we have been thinking about the last three games and we have to approach that game in a similar fashion. We understand the opposition and how they play and stuff like that," Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.

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'Damaging Country's Image': Rohit Sharma's Childhood Coach Blasts Shama Mohamed Over 'Fat-Shaming' Row

'Expecting Some Nervy Times": Rohit Sharma Ahead Of Champions Trophy Semifinals vs Australia

"Difficult To Read His Hand": Axar Patel Hails Varun Chakaravarthy's Mental Skills

Rohit Sharma Gives Big Reply To Pakistan Legends' 'Unfair Advantage' Allegations

'Pressure Will Be On Both Teams': Rohit Sharma On Semi-Final Against Australia

'More to come' says Joe McCarthy as he signs Ireland and Leinster deal

'This is not our home' - Rohit plays down India's venue advantage

India out to milk venue advantage for revenge against Australia