AUS vs IND 2025: "Virat Kohli needs to learn from Shreyas Iyer, play India A games to find form" - Former India cricketer

Published - 24 Oct 2025, 16:36 IST | Updated - 24 Oct 2025, 17:10 IST

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes Virat Kohli needs to find ways to get more game time, as it can help him regain his rhythm and form. During the ongoing ODI series against Australia, Kohli returned to international cricket for the first time since the Champions Trophy 2025 final in March. However, he registered ducks in the first two matches, a first for him in his illustrious ODI career.

Kaif urged Kohli to take a leaf out of Shreyas' book and play domestic cricket to get back among the runs. The latter recently played for India A and scored a fighting half-century in the second ODI in testing conditions.

“I had met Shreyas Iyer recently, and I asked him about his stance and rhythm. Since he is currently only playing ODIs after taking a break from red-ball cricket and not participating in T20Is, I wanted to understand how he still manages to play with such fluency. He is mentally sorted, knows his game inside out, and has fine-tuned his mind. He also played in the India A matches, and that’s why I say Virat and Rohit should consider doing the same," Kaif said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that while Iyer looks in good touch all the time, Kohli has not been able to settle himself at the crease.

“Iyer’s fluency comes from staying active. He never looks out of touch, unlike Virat at the moment. Virat currently looks unsettled, whereas Iyer has been playing regularly, and it shows in his game," he added.

While Kohli is yet to get off the mark in the series, Rohit Sharma managed to showcase his potential during the second ODI before being dismissed cheaply in the first game.

Australian squad panics as rat disrupts dinner in team hotel

India have already lost the three-match series after suffering defeats in Perth and Adelaide. The inconsequential third ODI is set to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Saturday, October 25.