Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

NEW DELHI: World Cup-winning former India cricketer Madan Lal has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that the two batting giants must be allowed to decide the course of their international futures. In a strong endorsement of their longevity and current form, Lal said both players “still seem to have steam left” and look nowhere near the end of their ODI careers.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Kohli and Rohit, who have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, remain active in the ODI setup and are eyeing a spot in the 2027 World Cup squad. Their recent performances back their ambition — both have played pivotal roles in India’s ODI wins against Australia and South Africa.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Lal stressed that nobody should dictate the future of the two modern greats. “It is their decision and not anybody else’s. So (it should be) whatever they decide,” he said.Lal was effusive in his praise for their intensity and physical conditioning. “The way they are playing the ODI series shows that they are still very, very fresh and look like they are some 28 or 30-years-old,” he remarked. He singled out Kohli’s energy on the field: “The way Virat Kohli is running between the wickets, taking the singles and hitting the balls. It’s nice to see the way they are going.”

The 1983 World Cup winner also reflected on the pressures faced by selectors and coaches — roles he once held. “The first person to be criticised is the coach and the selector… they will get the criticism, never mind. As long as your conscience is right, that matters,” Lal stated. He added that scrutiny often intensifies when the team fails, saying, “If the team is not doing good then it becomes a case of critics going after the selectors… your coach is as good as your team.”Recalling his stint during Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy, Lal admitted errors are unavoidable. “I, as a coach when Sachin was… I have made mistakes and they are part of the game,” he conceded.