“If your ‘old’ players had not scored, South Africa would’ve won” - Former India cricketer’s subtle dig at management after IND vs SA 2025 1st ODI

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif took a subtle dig at the management after the hosts beat South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. The Men in Blue won by 17 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Batting first, India posted 349/8 on the board. Senior pros Virat Kohli and Rohit Shama made major contributions. Kohli notched up his 52nd ODI ton, scoring 135 runs off 120 balls with 11 fours and seven maximums. Rohit hit his 60th fifty in the format, making 57 off 51 balls with five boundaries and three maximums.

Kaif reckoned that India would have lost the game if not for the runs made by the 'old' guns. South Africa got close and finished at 332 in 49.2 overs. He added that the direct connection to this victory was with the two stalwarts.

"You would not have scored these many runs if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had gotten out. And if you do not score 350 this South African team will defeat you. So the direct connection is Rohit and Virat. You are talking about youngsters but at the end of the day you need them. There is a direct connection. They played well and made a partnership. If your 'old' players had not scored, South Africa would've won," he said on his YouTube channel.

Young batters Yashasvi Jaiswal (18), Ruturaj Gaikwad (8), and Washington Sundar (13) failed to score. Skipper KL Rahul (60) and Ravindra Jadeja (32) played key knocks towards the end of the innings.

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Mohammad Kaif praises Virat Kohli after India's win

Mohammad Kaif also praised Virat Kohli for his scintillating century after India's victory. He lauded the 37-year-old for his aggressive intent and attacking mindset. Kaif also highlighted how Kohli played anchor while wickets were falling at the other end and later accelerated once again.

"Virat is not playing for numbers anymore. It is a statement. Today's innings showed clearly that you have not seen him like this before. Hitting sixes in the powerplay, we haven't seen that in a long time. In his mind, he only wants to play on his terms and not be pushed out by anyone. This is his format. If no wickets were falling from the other end, he had to bring his tempo down, later he again upped the ante. This is the sign of a great batter," he said.

He reckoned that Kohli's knock was a masterclass from start to finish. Kaif dived into Kohli's mindset of how he would want to play at the stage of his career that he is in at the moment.

"This was a masterclass from Kohli from start to finish. It was not to show anyone how great he is. Now he will just want to score and want people to take his name that India won because of Virat," he added.

Kohli broke multiple records with his match-winning century against South Africa. He was rightfully awarded 'Player of the Match' as well after the victory. The Men in Blue will want Kohli to carry this form for the remainder of the series.