Once slammed for Rohit remark, Shama Mohamed backs Shami in Ramzan fasting row

Congress leader Shama Mohamed, who recently faced backlash over her remarks on Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, has come out in support of cricketer Mohammed Shami amid the controversy surrounding his decision not to observe fasting during Ramzan while playing in the ongoing Test series.

Speaking to the media, Shama said, "...In Islam, there is a very important thing during Ramzan. When we are travelling, we don't need to fast (Roza), so Mohammed Shami is travelling and he's not at his own place. He's playing a sport where he can be very thirsty. Nobody insists that when you're playing a sport, you have to fast...It is your deeds which are very important. It (Islam) is a very scientific religion..."

Her statement comes as Shami was subjected to online trolling after a section of social media users criticised him for not fasting during the holy month while playing for India.

Shama Mohamed recently drew widespread criticism for her comments in a post on X during the India vs New Zealand match on Sunday calling Rohit Sharma "fat for a sportsman" and stating, "Need to lose weight! And of course the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had."