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Mohammed Kaif requests Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lower their ego and play more games to stay in form for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are looking for form (Picture Credit: AFP)
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has said that if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli really want to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup, they will have to bring their ‘ego’ down a bit and play other games, besides the occasional ODIs, which have reduced a lot over time.
In the opening game against Australia, both Rohit and Kohli couldn’t make an impact, with the former scoring just eight and Kohli going scoreless. Kaif noted that Rohit did not seem in his zone and appeared less engaged in the match.
Kaif reflected that should Rohit and Kohli feel like they aren’t enjoying playing anymore, they would themselves walk away.
“If there is so much passion, then these two will also have to bring their ego down a bit and play other matches. As batters, you should want to get games. There will be problems of travelling, crowd gathering and all that,” Kaif said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“I understand all this. But they will also have to show that passion. You will have to gain that rhythm. The players aren’t bad, but they will have to keep that rhythm and form going,” Kaif said.
Looking at their ODI numbers, Rohit has scored 11176 runs from 274 ODIs at an average of 48.59 with 32 centuries.
Speaking on Kohli, Kaif said that he should not be dropped from the ODI side based on a few poor outings, adding that Kohli would benefit from travelling more and participating in other tournaments.
“Virat has scored 51 centuries and if people say he will not play the next game if he doesn’t score, this question shouldn’t come to drop him. He isn’t a player to be dropped. You have to talk to him properly and organise things,” Kaif said.
“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?” Kaif questioned.
October 23, 2025, 00:01 IST
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