Mohammad Kaif opens up on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future ahead of Australia series

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has shed light on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI future ahead of the series against Australia. Both the experienced batters will be part of the series against Australia but Rohit has been sacked from the captaincy role.

Kaif highlighted that while Virat Kohli has always been consistent in the 50-over format, Rohit has played the crucial knocks in big matches of the ICC tournament but he isn’t as consistent as the former. The former Indian batter noted that Rohit played a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand after having a mixed tournament.

While Rohit Sharma has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODI matches at an impressive average of 48.77, Kohli has aggregated 14,181 runs in 302 ODI games at a stunning average of 57.88; thus, their records speak for themselves.

Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “People are saying that Virat Kohli will be assessed, but I think that is something which should be applicable to Rohit Sharma. Rohit is not captaining, and the way he has been playing over the years, scoring 20 to 30, but when a big match comes, he scores 80, a match-winning knock, that’s how his career has gone. He never scores consistently.”

“The difference between him and Kohli in their numbers is that Kohli brings consistency, while Rohit brings match-winning innings and knocks. It will be difficult for the selectors. What if Rohit fails in the Australia series? People will say he is out of form, but if you look at his career, he often fails in two or three innings and then comes back strong. Even in the Champions Trophy, he scored 30 to 40 in the early games and then became the Player of the Match in the final,” he added.

Kaif urged the fans and the media not to judge the veteran duo on their performances in two or three matches.

“In the World Cup, you will need experienced players. If they’ve decided that they’re not being treated right, and they’re close to retirement, that’s their personal choice. But if both of them play in the World Cup, India’s pride will rise, and match-winning innings will definitely come from their bats. My only appeal is not to judge them based on two or three innings.”

Kohli and Rohit will be seen in action in a three-match ODI series against Australia.