"Without him and Rohit, you can never win the World Cup" - Former batter makes massive claim after IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Former batter Mohammad Kaif made a massive claim about Team India after the third ODI against South Africa on Saturday, December 6. The Men in Blue won by nine wickets and clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Kaif expressed the importance of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He reckoned that the Indian team could not win the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup without them.

Talking about Kohli, the former batter reflected that he made a strong statement in this series. He stated that Kohli would certainly play even beyond 2027 if he carried his current form.

"After scoring two back-to-back hundreds, Kohli was walking and scoring runs today and hitting shots. He was ready to score three hundreds as well. He is playing to make a statement. The intent he showed today shows that whatever doubt you have about 2027, he will go beyond that as well. Leave 2027, he will play more and without him, and Rohit, you can never win the World Cup," he said on his YouTube channel.

Kohli slammed a blistering unbeaten 65 off just 45 balls with six boundaries and three sixes at a strike-rate of 144.44. Kaif also praised the way Rohit batted and played a long innings. Rohit made 75 runs off 73 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes.

"Rohit never played like this before. He saw the situation and took time. He was also trying to hit boundaries every 15-20 balls. He did not look to play a cameo but a big knock. He is not the captain now. Now he is looking to play long. He is valuing his wicket a lot more now. Rohit is also showing that he can play big and can take the challenge," he added.

Kohli and Rohit were among the major reasons behind India's victory in this ODI series against South Africa. Kohli scored 302 runs in three games at an average of 151. Rohit made 146 runs at an average of 48.66 with two half-centuries.

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Mohammad Kaif feels Virat Kohli should be given freedom and not pressurised

With talks around his future in the ODI team, Virat Kohli has been under pressure to play domestic cricket. Reports have also suggested that he will play a few matches of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

However, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that pressuring Kohli was not needed at the moment. He highlighted how Kohli batted even after coming back from a break without playing any professional cricket. Kohli won the 'Player of the Series' award in the South Africa ODIs, scoring two back-to-back hundreds and an unbeaten half-century. Therefore, Kaif believed that such a player must be given the freedom.

"Pressure is being put on Kohli to play domestic but it is not required at this point. If he himself feels he is not scoring and wants touch, he will play. But coming after 35 days and not playing any cricket, he has scored two back-to-back tons and a half-century. It is better to leave it on him, honestly. South Africa was a good team here. They had levelled the series. But he made it look like he was playing some club match in Delhi. So please give the freedom to such players. He knows his game plan and how to get into the space. There is no need to guide him," he said.

Meanwhile, Kaif also presented an unbiased take, stating that Kohli would have to reach South Africa early to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He reflected that the conditions there would be different from those in India. However, he reiterated that there was no need for him to play domestic 50-over cricket at home and did not require any preparation.