Mohammad Kaif said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need runs to secure their places in India’s ODI team, much like when they first entered international cricket. After India’s 9-wicket win, Rohit was named the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. He scored 202 runs at an average of 101 in three matches. Despite retirement speculation, both players proved their critics wrong.

Kaif mentioned that Virat was on a call and Rohit walked away holding his two awards.

“After the match, Virat Kohli was on the phone, while Rohit Sharma, after receiving the Man of the Match and Player of the Series awards, walked past Gautam Gambhir. They might have exchanged smiles, but Rohit simply walked past him. It’s clear now that both have understood that their respect is in their own hands. If they score runs, they’ll stay in the team,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

“When you’re a newcomer, you know no one is going to back you, and you have to perform to stay in the team. Now, towards the end of their careers, they have that same mindset,” he added.

Virat and Rohit delivered a match-winning performances at the Sydney Cricket Ground.