Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has defended struggling India captain Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The 44-year-old highlighted Rohit’s performance as the second-highest run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with nearly 600 runs, only behind Virat Kohli, who scored 765 runs.
Kaif, now a commentator, also cited Rohit’s explosive innings against Pakistan as an example of his vital role at the top of India’s batting order. Kaif’s remarks came after concerns over Rohit’s recent slump, having scored only 164 runs at 10.93 in his last 15 Test innings.
However, the 37-year-old was India’s top scorer in the 2023 ODI series in Sri Lanka with 157 runs at 52.33, despite India losing the series 0-2. Mohammad Kaif stated on his YouTube channel [6:20]:
“It was a World Cup match in Ahmedabad, with lakhs of spectators. India vs Pakistan and Shaheen Afridi had dismissed Rohit Sharma several times before, so there was pressure.”
“He tackled it with feet adjustments. He played straight shots, flicked, and set the tone for India. He’s done it several times for India. He wants to go out there and attack. He’s like, ‘You guys follow me, I want to make the most of the first 10 overs.’”
He further continued:
“In that match, Pakistan couldn’t recover after Shaheen Afridi’s early thrashing. Rohit, with 86 off 63 balls, hit six sixes and led India to victory. Kaif praised Rohit for his World Cup performance, where he scored 597 runs, second only to Kohli’s 759, highlighting their significant contributions.”
“Virat Kohli white ball me ek betaaj badshah hai”– Ex-India Cricketer backs under-fire batter for 2025 CT
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has come to the defense of struggling Virat Kohli ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized that Kohli’s impressive record of 50 centuries and 13,906 runs in ODIs speaks for itself.
The 44-year-old praised Kohli’s Dubai century, calling him a white-ball king, despite concerns over his recent struggles in Tests and ODIs. Kaif stated on his YouTube channel:[2:51]
“He plays differently in white ball. The last time Virat Kohli played in Dubai, he scored an unbeaten 122 off 61 balls against Afghanistan and smashed six sixes in his innings. His form was excellent and he loves playing in Dubai so, I expect him to do well with the bat in the Champions Trophy.”
“If he scores well in the opening game, then he will keep scoring runs, I can take that guarantee. Virat Kohli white ball me ek betaaj badshah hai (Virat Kohli is an uncrowned king in white ball cricket). The era has not ended, it will continue,” he added.
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