India in 'safe hands' after Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's T20I retirements, claims ex-cricketer

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is confident that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands even after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20I cricket. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is after India's T20 World Cup 2024 win a few months ago.

Kaif was highly impressed with the batting of youngsters like Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson in the ongoing T20I series in South Africa. All these batters have played at least one whirlwind knock across the three T20Is played so far.

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Mohammad Kaif hails Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson

Mohammad Kaif took to social media to praise India's young crop after their impressive showing against South Africa recently. He claimed that Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson have batted well in the tough conditions of South Africa in the ongoing series.

Based on all these important knocks, Kaif expressed his confidence that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have left Indian cricket in safe hands.

"Watching Tilak Verma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat (Kohli) and Rohit(Sharma). When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands," Kaif posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Watching Tilak Verma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat and Rohit. When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands. #SAvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 14, 2024

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's numbers in T20Is

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli finally won the T20 World Cup title and ended a long drought of India's ICC trophy win. After winning the title this year, both the stalwarts retired from the format in an attempt to concentrate more on Tests and ODIs.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also finished as the top two run-getters in T20I cricket. Rohit has scored 4231 runs in 159 T20Is at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89. On the other hand, Kohli finished second on the list with 4188 runs in 125 T20Is at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04.

India's youngsters fire against South Africa

Coming to the T20I series against South Africa, Tilak Varma smashed a match-winning hundred in the third T20I at Centurion. Tilak scored an unbeaten 107 off 56 balls. It was his first international century and he was rightly adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant performance.

Along with Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma also showed his class with a brilliant 50 off just 25 balls at the top. Abhishek smashed 3 fours and 5 sixes. These two youngsters helped India secure a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

While these played these knocks in the third game, Sanju Samson scored a magnificent century in the first T20I at Durban. Samson's 107 off just 50 balls propelled India to a 1-0 lead early in the series.