Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan has stirred controversy with his sharp criticism of India’s captain Rohit Sharma, calling him “overweight” and questioning his physical fitness for Test cricket. In a candid comparison with Virat Kohli, Cullinan suggested that Rohit’s conditioning falls short of the demands of a gruelling five-match Test series like the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit Sharma has faced mounting pressure due to his recent struggles with the bat. The Indian skipper has been out of form in the ongoing series against Australia, further fueling concerns. In the second Test in Adelaide, Rohit managed just 3 and 6 in his two innings, looking far from his usual self.

Virat Kohli, too, has found runs hard to come by, leaving India’s batting order in a vulnerable position. The poor form of these two senior batters has raised alarms as India aims to regain control in the series. Speaking to Inside Sport, Cullinan didn’t hold back, pointing out the stark contrast between Rohit and Kohli in terms of fitness and readiness.

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“Look at Rohit, then at Virat. Notice the difference in their physical condition. Rohit is overweight and not a long-term cricketer anymore. He is not in the right physical shape to play in a four or five-match Test series,” Daryll Cullinan remarked.

Rohit’s performances in recent months add weight to Cullinan’s claims. During India’s home Test season against Bangladesh and New Zealand, he managed just 133 runs across five matches, averaging a dismal 13.10. He has only crossed the fifty-run mark once since the season began.

Sharma missed the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, staying with his family for the birth of his second child. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up as captain, leading India to an emphatic 295-run victory.

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Rohit Sharma returned to the side for the second Test but failed to inspire, both as a batter and as a leader. His tactical decisions on the field came under scrutiny, with some even questioning his suitability for the captaincy role. India now looks to the third Test at Gabba, hoping for a turnaround as questions about Rohit’s form and leadership continue to dominate discussions.