Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has asserted that the presence of the Indian talismanic cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made a huge difference in India bagging a six-wicket win over England in the first ODI on Tuesday, July 14.
Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Kaif has reckoned that seniors played a crucial role in India bagging a comfortable win. However, both veteran batters failed to create an impact with the willow in hand.
While Rohit managed to score 11 runs off 21 balls with a four, Kohli could score only five runs off six balls with a four, getting out LBW off Jofra Archer. Nevertheless, Kaif insisted that Kohli’s presence on the field has helped the Indian team turn the tables.
“There was kind of a new energy as well, the seniors had returned to the team. I’m not saying that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored a lot of runs, but I noted their energy, even their presence on the ground made a difference. You could see Virat Kohli diving around in the covers, his body language, and his talks in the huddle,” Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.
In the 259-run chase, Shubman Gill, the Indian skipper, played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 80-run knock off 75 balls with 11 fours and a six. In the middle-order, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar’s unbeaten half-centuries propelled India to a six-wicket win in 45.2 overs.
“Gill scoring runs in a heap in ODIs, his captaincy improving having recently led his IPL team to the final, and then having Jasprit Bumrah, all of this together has helped Team India in the match. You only move forward with the team when there is a mix of youth and experience, which we got to see here,” he added.
India will lock horns with England in the second ODI on Thursday, July 16, at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
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