Rohit Sharma made 138 runs, while Virat Kohli made 74 at Lord's but India lost by 27 runs.
Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, criticized the Indian team management and critics for generating dissatisfaction when veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scored poorly in just a few matches leading up to the ODI World Cup in 2027.
The duo was once again in the spotlight during England's recently finished trip, in which the Men in Blue lost 1-2 in the series.
Speculation about Rohit Sharma's future dominated the build-up to the third ODI at Lord’s. According to multiple reports, Rohit was told by the team management that he was out of the picture for the 2027 World Cup following a few subpar performances in the first two ODIs.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had to intervene with a statement to refute the reports before Rohit Sharma responded strongly with a sublime 138 runs at Lord’s. The seasoned pair now have momentum thanks to Virat Kohli's consecutive half-centuries following his subpar performance in the series opener in Birmingham.
According to Mohammad Kaif, prominent members of the Indian cricket hierarchy, such as captain Shubman Gill and the BCCI high brass, should clearly and categorically support Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to end the ongoing rumors.
"So, in my opinion, you need both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the side at any cost. I am saying that the boss sitting on top of the BCCI should already be informing the selectors, coaches, and captain to leave Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma alone. They will get to play white-ball cricket for as long as they wish, and when the runs don't come, they themselves will feel, "I am not worthy and not able to contribute," and then they will inform the BCCI of their retirement plans," Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.
"So, I feel that the BCCI should take some action here because the minute the scores don't come in for 1 or 2 matches, it is chaos; the media begins to say that it is his last match, so remove him. Brother, is this a joke that is going on? I think the BCCI, with more authority, should state that no one will touch Rohit and Virat because they can play for as long as they want, because they are playing like this. So, please do not write these players off; don't put them in doubt; let them enjoy. I want Shubman Gill to come out and outright say that he wants both Rohit and Virat in the World Cup squad," he continued.
After Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had added 147 runs for the first wicket in the chase of the 388-run target, Rohit and Virat Kohli then added 113 runs, keeping India’s hopes alive. Kohli made 74, while Rohit Sharma made 138 runs.
However, their dismissals proved to be the final nail in the coffin as India finished with 360/7 and lost the third and final ODI by 27 runs.
Additionally, Kaif described how Rohit Sharma overcame pressure to make a powerful statement to his critics and compel the team management to continue supporting him in the World Cup.
"If we talk about the pressure that Rohit Sharma was in during this match, where the atmosphere that was created was that he was not scoring runs in the series, and the way he batted, rising above that pressure, he has now scored the highest score by an Indian batter at Lord's. He played such an innings that he told the critics and the pundits, all of whom are against him, that they will not decide his time. He will decide to step away when he decides. I will play in a way that will force you to back me," Mohammad Kaif concluded.
The Indian team won only one game on their white-ball tour of Ireland and England.
(Cricbuzz inputs)