IND vs NED: 'Rohit Sharma Could've Played Selfish Cricket Too Like Virat Kohli..'- Mohammad Hafeez

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has criticized Virat Kohli for being selfish while batting against South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (November 5).

Team India locked horns against the high-flying Proteas in the 37th match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. While in-form South Africa were expected to give India a tough fight, the match turned out to be a one-sided contest. India thrashed second-placed South Africa by 243 runs to register their eighth win in eight games and seal their spot at the top of the points table.

One of the main architects of the win was Virat Kohli. On a pitch where other batters were struggling and South Africa were bowled out for a paltry total of 83 runs, he showed his class again by scoring an unbeaten century. India needed someone to absorb the pressure after losing both of their openers inside 10 overs and Virat Kohli rose to the occasion once again.

Mohammad Hafeez criticizes Virat Kohli:

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 101 off 121 balls with the help of 10 fours. On a tough pitch, he mixed caution with aggression to ensure India ended their innings with a big total. And while the India batting mainstay is receiving praise from all around for his workmanlike knock on a tough track, Mohammad Hafeez has taken shots at him.

Speaking to a local news channel, the former Pakistan allrounder pointed out that Virat Kohli did not show any urgency even in the 49th over in order to complete his century. The 35-year-old hit only two fours in the last ten overs with the second one coming in the 47th over. Mohammad Hafeez also accused Kohli of putting his milestone ahead of the team.

“I saw sense of selfishness in Virat Kohli’s batting and this happened for the third time in this World Cup. In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and he didn’t put the team first.

“Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn’t because he is playing for Team India and not for himself,” Mohammad Hafeez.

'I saw sense of selfishness in Virat Kohli's batting and this happened for the third time in this World Cup. In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and he didn't put the team first. Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he… pic.twitter.com/VtggkEJ0W7

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 6, 2023