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The Times of India
The Times of India
Lifestyle
TOI Lifestyle Desk | etimes.in

What Rohit Sharma's body shaming tells us about our views on health and fitness

When Ferenc Puskás arrived at Real Madrid in 1958, many doubted his ability. He was deemed overweight, unfit, and past his prime. Critics scoffed at his physique, calling him “too fat” for elite football. But Puskás silenced them with his performances, scoring 242 goals in 262 games and leading Real Madrid to multiple titles.

Rohit Sharma, one of cricket’s finest batters, faces similar scrutiny. For years, he has been the subject of memes linking him to vada pav, Mumbai’s beloved street snack. His relaxed demeanour and walk to the crease make him relatable, but they have also led to unfair judgments about his fitness. Recently, Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed reignited the debate with remarks about Rohit’s physique, sparking backlash.

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