Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif reckons every game can not be a test for the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Kaif highlighted that the experienced players have already proven their mettle on many occasions as they have delivered consistently for the team.

While Rohit was dismissed after scoring only eight runs, Kohli was sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Kohli and Rohit had last played International cricket in the Champions Trophy and their last professional assignment was IPL 2025.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding Kohli and Rohit’s ODI future and whether the experienced pair will be part of the ODI World Cup squad or not.

“I will talk about both Rohit and Kohli. In the last game Rohit played differently. His body language is seen on the field when he captains usually. In the last game that involvement was less. The same problem could come with Virat as well. He may feel that he is not the captain and has to prove himself in every game. They are not players who have to keep proving themselves right? They are legends. Every game cannot be a test for them,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Kaif highlighted that Rohit and Virat will call it a day from their ODI careers if they aren’t enjoying their cricket anymore.

“If they feel like they are not enjoying it, specially Rohit as his captaincy was also taken away, then I am telling you they will walk away. If these two are in the plan till the World Cup, then the management and coaches have to tell them that they are important and keep reminding them about their impact,” he added.

Kaif added that the veteran duo will need to show their passion to play in the ODI showpiece in 2027.

“Virat has scored 51 centuries and if people say he will not play the next game if he does not score, this question should not come to drop him. He is not a player to be dropped. You have to talk to him properly and organize things. And if Virat also wants to play the World Cup he will have to take the flight from England to India every two weeks. He will have to come to play games. You play the IPL but what will you do after that? You have to travel in India and play games if you plan to win the World Cup,” he said.

The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.