"Get some sense": BCCI ordered to drag Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma back into Test cricket
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Amid the growing urge to bring back Virat Kohli into the Indian Test team, a former Indian star has ordered the BCCI to bring both the veteran stars into the Test team, as it would not only restore India's class and stability but also the impact they had on World cricket.
The two legends of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have retired from Test and T20I cricket and now only represent India in One-dayers. Both these batters, despite limited cricket action, have continued to showcase their sheer domination in the sport.
India, on the other hand, has struggled to play competitive Test cricket without the two veteran cricketers. Hence, recently, fans as well as former star cricketers have called for Virat Kohli or both Rohit-Virat's inclusion into the Test team by reversing their retirements.
Mohammad Kaif declares no discussion is needed on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif was blunt when he reacted to the reports claiming a review meeting that would decide the fate of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with the Indian team. Kaif reckoned that the two batters had been showing promising form and hence, no discussions were needed.
"I hope they get some sense and ask whether these two can come back in Tests in whatever review meeting may happen. What do you have to discuss about the future? Both are scoring hundreds. Call them back to the Tests as you are losing badly."
"You need to have seniors in the team. Of course, I don't think they will both change their decision. BCCI can think what has happened has happened, but can these two return? Think about this. Not about wanting to go with new guys for the World Cup. These two deserve to be there," he said on his YouTube channel.
"The South African coach would not have made the grovel statement" - Mohammad Kaif
During the second Test proceedings at Guwahati, after South Africa was already 1-0 ahead in the series, the Proteas coach Shukri Conrad had dared to comment that he wanted the hosts to grovel.
Mohammad Kaif mentions that this clearly is due to the absence of senior cricketers in the side; had Kohli and Rohit been in the team, the coach would never have shown the audacity to make any such claim.
"It was evident that if Virat and Rohit were still playing Tests, the South African coach would not have made the grovel statement. Their presence on the field is enough. When they came back in ODIs, look at how much energy there was on the field," he pointed out.
"Keep the runs aside, but the energy they bring to the whole team; these two playing only one format is a loss for the youngsters, as there is so much to learn. Their coach had the confidence that they would beat us, so he made such a statement. He would not have dared to had these two been there," Kaif added.
'India cannot lift the World Cup without the veterans,' remarked Mohammad Kaif
Since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain the stalwarts who hold the Indian innings together and lay the foundation on most occasions, Mohammad Kaif feels India are not capable enough to win the 2027 World Cup without the two legendary cricketers.
"We all have understood that this Indian team cannot win the 2027 World Cup without Rohit and Virat. Take this in writing. We have been talking about this, the fans have been telling us this. It is no secret. We would have been whitewashed in the Australia ODIs, but we won one match because of these two. They saved us there, and they saved us here, too. What did the youngsters do here? It was a good batting wicket, right? You needed experience here, too," he said.
Kaif explained what separates players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is the art of staging a fightback and then capitalizing once they have revived their confidence, something that both these batters have done since the Australia series.
"Kohli was not in good form in Australia. Then he took time in the final ODI. He does that. A big player does not play at one tempo all the time. Even Rohit had taken time in the second ODI there, but when he hit a hundred in the third, he played quick. Virat did the same thing. Once he got the runs in Australia, the confidence came, and you saw a quick and attacking knock here."
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India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team India vs South Africa South Africa vs India Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma BCCI Mohammad Kaif
