Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has taken a dig at Indian greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after they failed to score runs in their first innings in Australia’s 2025 tour of India. He said what a great batsman you are; It’s a game of rhythm and both got the opportunity to go out early and get some extra practice sessions.
India had to face a crushing defeat against Australia in the first ODI match. Rain may have played the most destructive role in the match, but the Australian fast bowlers were also right on the money. The Indian top order collapsed in front of excellent bowling and then the Australian team chased the target in just 21.1 overs.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have a chance – Mohammad Kaif
With the return of the two Indian legends, all focus was on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their much-awaited return to international cricket. However, after such a long gap and not having much game time before the start of the series, both were already looking out of sorts.
Furthermore, Australian conditions were unfavorable for batting and conditions were worsened with rain affecting play on several occasions. While Rohit managed to score at least one four and 8 runs, Kohli was out for a duck for the first time in Australia.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that both Rohit and Virat Kohli should have traveled to Australia earlier to acclimatise to the conditions coming from the 6-month hibernating phase in international cricket.
Kaif said on his YouTube channel, “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had a chance. But maybe they thought they would go with the team, because people are behind them anyway. There must have been pressure, like ‘Virat should travel with the team’; he has gone to England, so there was pressure. If he had not traveled with the team, it would have been another problem. So he got caught in it.”
Mohammad Kaif said, “No matter how big a batsman you are, it is a game of rhythm.”
Mohammad Kaif pointed out that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma missed a good opportunity to travel to Australia before the rest of the Indian team as they were not part of the West Indies home series.
He further claimed that regardless of a batsman’s stature, one will need to adjust to the conditions of a track like Australia, especially after being away from international cricket for so long. He also mentioned the importance of timing and rhythm of the game in the game of cricket.
He told, “Both of them got a chance to go there eight to ten days ago. No matter how big a batsman you are, it is a game of rhythm. If you are not in rhythm, a team like Australia will not spare you. I think it would have been better if they had come earlier.”
Rohit’s dismissal was cited as a threat posed by lack of game time
After explaining the mistakes made by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he gave the example of Rohit Sharma’s wicket as a classic case of lack of game, as Rohit was out attempting to play his favorite short ball.
He said, “Rohit pulls the short ball. He pulls the ball on which he was out. But because he did not have enough game practice and Hazlewood was in good form, he had to be prepared.”
“If he is in form, he hits a six on that ball. But here perhaps he thought of taking some time and getting acclimated with the pitch. It looked like he was confused. Due to lack of practice and preparation, his confidence was low in this game,” he concluded.
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