Ahead of the 3rd Test against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, former India skipper Kapil Dev has made some scathing remarks about the fitness of the current Indian captain, Rohit Sharma.
Rohit’s fitness over the past 4-5 years has often come under the scanner with fans trolling him whenever he has looked to have put on some weight. However, now with Kapil Dev terming Rohit as “overweight” and that it’s a matter of “shame” for an Indian captain, this comment from the legendary all-rounder didn’t go down well with Rohit’s fans.
“It is very important (to be fit). More so for a captain. It’s a shame if you are not fit. Rohit needs to put some hard work on it. He is a great batter but when you talk about his fitness, he looks a bit overweight, at least on TV,” Kapil Dev said while speaking on ABP news.
Rohit’s fans lashed out at Kapil Dev on social media
Dev hailed Rohit as a batsman, but suggested the opener shed some weight and get fitter.
“Yes, it’s different when you look at someone on TV and then in real life. But from whatever I see, Rohit is a great player and a great captain, but he needs to get fit,” the former Indian captain further added.
And of course, there was bound to be a comparison with former captain Virat Kohli, the fitness icon of the youth.
“Look at Virat, whenever you see him, you say, ‘that’s some fitness!’,” Kapil Dev concluded.
Criticism and trolling around Rohit’s weight and body has been going on for the past few years, but the opener has let his bat do the talking. Just like in the ongoing series against Australia, played on tough pitches, where he’s the only batsman to have hit a century in the first two matches.
India have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy having won the first two Tests. The third Test will be played in Indore followed by Ahmedabad. India need to win at least one more Test to seal their place in the WTC final.
