1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal showered praise on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their sensational performances in ODI cricket in recent times. While Kohli scored a half-century on the tour of Australia, Rohit registered one fifty and one century. On Sunday, November 30, in the first ODI against South Africa, the former smashed 135 off 120 balls, while the latter made a quickfire 57.

Lal asserted that the two stalwarts of Indian cricket should be trusted to decide about their own future in ODI cricket. He also likened the readiness and hunger shown by the two former captains to that of players aged 28-30.

“It is their decision and not anybody else’s. So whatever they decide. The way they are playing the ODI series shows they are still very, very fresh and look like they are some 28 or 30 years old," Lal was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Asian Legends League Season 2.

Lal also pointed out that Kohli is still running hard between the wickets and showing great ball-striking ability, indicating that he remains in peak physical shape.

“The way Virat Kohli is running, taking singles and hitting the balls—it’s nice to see the way they are going,” he said, adding that Rohit too has looked just as assured and confident at the top of the order.

Speaking from his experience as both India coach and selector, Lal acknowledged that those in charge are often the first in line to encounter criticism when a team fails to perform. But he stressed that scrutiny is simply part of the role.

“The first person to be criticised is the coach and the selector. I have been both, so they will get the criticism, never mind. As long as your conscience is right, that matters. If the team is not doing well then critics go after the selectors. But it is also calculative—your coach is only as good as your team," he said.

The 74-year-old Lal admitted that he, too, made mistakes as a head coach when Sachin Tendulkar was the captain of the Indian team.

"I have made mistakes as a coach when Sachin was captain, and they are part of the game,” he added.