Mohammad Kaif questioned Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s lack of preparation for the tour of Australia as both players failed in the series opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit scored 8 runs while Virat registered a duck against Mitchell Marsh’s team. Australia won the match by 7 wickets after completing a chase of 131 runs in 21.1 overs.

Kaif felt that Virat and Rohit should have travelled to Australia earlier to prepare for the matches. He highlighted the fact that both cricketers looked out of rhythm.

“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had the opportunity to reach Australia earlier, but they would have thought of travelling with the team as people are behind them. They might be under pressure, like, Virat should travel with the players as he has shifted to England. The pressure was there. It would have created another issue if Virat had not travelled with the team, so he was caught in this,” Kaif said.

Kaif claimed that the delivery on which Rohit got out would have been dispatched for a six by the batter if he was in form. “Rohit pulls the ball that he was dismissed on. He didn’t have enough game practice, and Josh Hazlewood was in good rhythm. If he is in form, he hits the ball for a six. He was in two minds. His confidence was low because of less practice,” Kaif added.

Ro-Ko will look to score runs in the second ODI on Thursday, October 23.