Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif opined that India would have lost the IND vs SA 1st ODI had Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gotten out early. The veteran duo stitched together a partnership for years, with Kohli going on to score his 52nd ODI century. Ahead of the IND vs SA 2nd ODI in Raipur, Kaif has warned that India would be in serious trouble if Ro-Ko were dismissed early, and took a scathing dig at the youngsters.
What happens to India without Ro-Ko?
In a video on his YouTube channel, Kaif explained that the current South African side could easily beat India if the latter did not score over 300-350 runs. He said that unlike Rohit and Kohli, the youngsters in the side were incapable of even scoring 200 runs, adding that it was the veteran duo who had once again saved the day for India in Ranchi.
“No, absolutely not, and you will lose the match if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma get out. Then you won’t score that many runs. First thing is, if you don’t make 300, 350, then this South African team will beat you. So I feel there is a direct connection between this win and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. You are talking about youngsters, bringing youngsters in. They won’t even make two hundred. So, in the end, you had to go back to Kohli and Rohit to save you,” said Kaif.
Ro-Ko recorded their 20th hundred-plus run partnership in the 50-over format of the game in IND vs SA 1st ODI.
“Virat Kohli hit a century and the straight connection of this win is the runs coming from his bat. He hit seven sixes and Rohit Sharma got three. They made a partnership, the same work they did in Sydney before this series. And the condition of the Indian team was very bad. After losing the Test series you got a breath of relief. Our old is still gold,” Kaif added.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
India squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Shubman Gill dropped as vice-captain, Ishan Kishan makes comeback
Top Stories
