“They should even sit while selection calls are taken” - IPL winner’s huge remark on Kohli & Rohit amid IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Mohammad Kaif made a huge remark on stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma amid the ODI series against South Africa. India won the first game by 17 runs, with the two seniors playing key roles in the win.

With question marks over their future in the team and participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kaif reckoned that they should be allowed to walk away on their own terms, given they are performing. He felt that constantly judging them, asking them to prove themselves and placing them level as others for the World Cup selection was unfair.

"Virat and Rohit are at a stage where they should get the luxury to leave on their terms. This is why people are upset because they have given so much to Indian cricket over the years. When they are asked to prove themselves for the 2027 World Cup and are being judged, you are placing them on par with everyone else. People do not like this, and that is why there are reactions on social media. These two should be given the freedom," he said on his YouTube channel.

Further, Kaif believed that Kohli and Rohit should even be present while selection calls are made, for the benefit of the team. He added that the management should make apt use of their experience and have them at the core. With the duo still winning games, he said that there was no need to judge them as far as the 2027 ODI World Cup is concerned.

"They should even sit while selection calls are taken. You can agree or disagree with them, but at least have them there. They are at that stage. Their best use would be made like this if they were at the core. Obviously, people are not happy with how they are being treated. They are scoring runs and winning games. What is the need to judge them?"

Kohli slammed a 120-ball 135 in the first ODI while Rohit made a quickfire 57 off 51 balls. The duo struck a match-winning 136-run partnership off just 109 balls. Kaif cited how Kohli and Rohit stepped away by themselves from T20Is after having won the 2024 T20 World Cup. Therefore, he felt that the two should be allowed to do the same in the ODI format as well. He stated that they were mature enough to know when to walk away.

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Mohammad Kaif on Rohit Sharma being removed as ODI captain

After leading India to victory at the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma was removed as ODI captain. Mohammad Kaif expressed that he did not understand why the call was made, even to this date. He highlighted how Rohit and Kohli were both constantly seen talking with players on the field during the first ODI against South Africa.

"I still did not understand the logic of removing Rohit as captain. Just look at the energy of the team when these two have returned. Even the basics are being followed on the field. Good calls were made on the field, and Virat and Rohit were giving inputs constantly," he said.

Talking about Rohit's selfless nature, he also cited how the batter did not go for the review when he was adjudged LBW. Kaif reckoned that it would have been okay if he wasted a review the way he was batting and being a senior player. However, he chose not to do so and made a logical decision to walk back, knowing he was gone.

"The way Rohit did not go for the review shows these guys are selfless and playing for the team. Usually, batters do take reviews in such situations. The way he was batting and the partnership that he was in, it was okay to even burn a review, and no one would tell anything. But he is selfless. Even someone like Sehwag would keep one review for himself. There are many who take those reviews like that. Here, Rohit could have taken it anyway. But both senior players had a discussion, and Rohit walked away. There was no emotion and only logic there."