On the eve of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction, Star Sports participated in a mock auction where various notable players selected their favorite franchise. The former middle-order batter, Mohammed Kaif, who was part of the coaching staff of Delhi Capitals in the past, decided to sign David Miller for the side.

Miller, the left-handed lower-order batter of the South Africa side, was bought by the Capitals for a price of INR 9.50 crore. Mohammed Kaif reckoned that his plan would be to slot Miller in the lower order, given the veteran could be effective with the big shots in the small ground of Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

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“I have decided to give Donovan Ferreira to the Rajasthan Royals. So, in terms of the players, we needed an opener, and that’s why we decided to sign Prithvi Shaw. And we were looking for a finisher for which we decided to go with David Miller on the small ground of Delhi. I think he will be really effective there.” Kaif expressed in the Star Sports mock auction.

Mohammad Kaif trolls Gautam Gambhir’s statement

After the completion of the mock-auction, Kaif was asked to comment on where Miller would bat in the line-up, to which the former player reckoned that the openers would remain fixed with a flexible batting order for the rest of the line-up. This was echoed by the same statement Gautam Gambhir, the Indian head coach, made in his press conference.

Watch the video here: 

No way Mohammed Kaif trolling Gautham Gambhir in mock auction in Star sports 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Iq9e0sp8UU

— @Rohitshrama45 (@NabinCheet46780) December 16, 2025

“Openers’ positions are fixed, but the others are flexible. We will just see the combination of a right and left-handed opening batter combo.” Said Kaif, who also signed Prithvi Shaw for a price of INR 2.75 crore. He also bagged the services of Lungi Ngidi for a price of INR 6.5 crore.

Apart from those, Cameron Green was the biggest buy of the mock auction for a price of INR 30.50 crore, while Liam Livington went to Lucknow Super Giants for a price of INR 19 crore. Matheesha Pathirana went to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a price of INR 13 crore.

The former Indian batter, Mohammad Kaif, has highlighted that the management must rest the struggling opening batter, Shubman Gill, in the ongoing T20I series, calling that the vice-captains had been dropped before. Gill’s return to the South Africa series wasn’t promising with scores of four and a golden duck. There is a loud noise of leaving out the batter of the eleven.

Shubman Gill has accumulated overall 263 runs in 14 innings at an average of under 24 and a strike rate of 142.93, with the best score of 47 runs against Pakistan, which came during the Asia Cup 2025. Kaif reckoned that there should not be double standards. 

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“Look at how he is getting out, caught at slip, stepping out and mistiming, trying aggressive strokes like Abhishek Sharma, and getting caught. He has tried everything. I think the time has come to give him a break and try players who are proven. Sanju Samson is a top-quality player; he hasn’t received enough chances. There should not be double standards. Even vice-captains have been dropped before.” Kaif expressed on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif calls for Shubman Gill’s exclusion from T20I series

If the management leaves out Gill, then they can bring Sanju Samson as the opener, which will open the door to having the wicket-keeping option. That will also push them to add an extra all-rounder or bowler in the eleven.

“But now it feels like the time has come for changes. You dropped players like Jaiswal, and you kept Sanju Samson on the bench without giving him consistent chances, even though he scored heavily as an opener. He hit three centuries in five T20 innings, something no one in history has done. Some players get very few chances.” Kaif highlighted.

“IPL conditions are different; international cricket against South Africa, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand is at a completely different level. I feel he has been given too much too soon. That is why he picked up that neck issue earlier. That was not really a neck issue; it was an accumulated workload taking a toll on the body. You cannot stay at your peak continuously.” The former batter concluded.

The former star batter of the Indian side and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohammad Kaif, reckoned that the two veterans of the national side, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, could extend their career even past the 2027 World Cup in the format. His statement comes after the Blue Brigade’s 2-1 series victory at home against the Proteas.

Virat Kohli ended the series with 302 runs in three innings at an average of 151, having shouldered two centuries in Ranchi and Raipur before notching up an unbeaten half-century in the series decider in Visakhapatnam.

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“After scoring two back-to-back hundreds, Kohli was walking and scoring runs today and hitting shots. He was ready to score three hundreds as well. He is playing to make a statement. The intent he showed today shows that whatever doubt you have about 2027, he will go beyond that as well. Leave 2027, he will play more and without him, and Rohit, you can never win the World Cup.” Kaif expressed on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif drops bombshell on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future

Kaif also lauded Rohit Sharma for switching back to a calm version in the series, in which he moved a step away from his ultra-aggressive self in the last two years as the 50-over captain of the side.

“Rohit never played like this before. He saw the situation and took time. He was also trying to hit boundaries every 15-20 balls. He did not look to play a cameo but a big knock. He is not the captain now. Now he is looking to play long. He is valuing his wicket a lot more now. Rohit is also showing that he can play big and can take the challenge.” Kaif addressed in the video.

“When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes. Just wanted to push my boundaries and do well. The first innings was the best this series. I hadn’t played since Australia, just the energy on the day helps take risks. That opened me up in a way I’ve not felt in a while. Must-win brings the best out of us. Happy Rohit and I can help the team even now.” The former Indian batter shed light.

The former star of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohammad Kaif, has questioned the role of India’s off-spinner, Washington Sundar, after the latter was not given a full role with both bat and ball in any of the first two ODIs in Ranchi and Raipur. As the management favors the all-rounder, Sundar has had chances regularly.

Kaif, who was part of India’s 2002 winning squad of the Asia Cup, slammed the inclusion of the Tamil Nadu spinner, stating that he is not even half of the former spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, when it comes to spin skills.

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“The management can answer what Washington's role is. He is not even half of Ashwin if we talk about skills as a spinner. Even in Tests and ODIs, under different captains, not one but all of them have not given him full overs. When the game is tight, they go to Jadeja and Kuldeep. There is no trust that he can pick wickets at any stage, like how it is with Kuldeep. He will have to work a lot on his bowling.” Kaif expressed on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif blames Indian management for Washington Sundar’s role in IND vs SA ODI series

India won the opening game in Ranchi by a narrow margin of 17 runs as the Proteas kept losing wickets regularly. But in the second encounter, the visitors displayed a clinical batting performance to level the series at 1-1.

“First of all, his wicket-taking ability is less, and now you want Sundar to bat and are just putting more pressure on him. It is like he is neither a bowler nor a batter. Make him do one thing and give him a clear role. He can play the role of Axar in batting in the middle. That is fine. But his main role is bowling.” Kaif addressed.

“Batting is a bonus. But if his bowling gets bad, which is evident as they are not giving overs, he will go further behind in bowling. He will have to work on his skills and variations as a bowler. If he wants to play longer for India, he has to improve his bowling.” The former RCB batter addressed.

Former cricketer Mohammed Kaif said the fall in batting standards of the Big 3 — India, England, and Australia — in Test cricket is alarming. All three teams struggled badly within a week: India against South Africa, and England and Australia on the first day of the Ashes on Friday.

This was similar to the recent India–South Africa Test, which also ended inside three days. The Eden Gardens pitch faced strong criticism from fans and former players after that match, but head coach Gautam Gambhir defended it.

Gambhir said the pitch was made that way on purpose, and a more defensive batting style would have made scoring easier.

Kaif wrote on Friday in X (formally Twitter), “Where have all the Test match batsmen gone? India failed to chase 124 on a spin track, while English and Australian batters struggled on a fast Perth wicket on the opening day of the Ashes.”

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Where have all the Test match batsmen gone? India fail to chase 124 on spin track while English and Australian batters struggle on pacy Perth wicket on opening day of Ashes.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 21, 2025

India Collapses Again in Kolkata

India’s Kolkata Test showed the same chaos, as the hosts were bowled out for just 93 while chasing a small target of 124. Star all-rounder Washington Sundar top-scored with a fighting 31 off 92 balls, but the rest of the batting failed. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj got out for ducks. KL Rahul (1), Rishabh Pant (2), and Kuldeep Yadav (1) also scored only single digits.

Ashes Opener Sees 19 Wickets Fall on Day 1

Nineteen wickets fell on a dramatic opening day of the first Ashes Test on Friday. England captain Ben Stokes used his pace attack well and put his team in a strong position after Australia bowled England out for just 172.

Mitchell Starc was unstoppable, taking 7/58 to push England back after Stokes won the toss on a clear morning at a packed Perth Stadium and chose to bat.

Here's every single one of the NINETEEN wickets to fall on Day 1 at Optus Stadium ... in just 71.5 overs 🤯#Ashes pic.twitter.com/d8QFJEmCxe

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 21, 2025

Ashes 1st Test, Perth (November 21–25, 2025) – Day 1 Brief Scorecard

England: 172

Brook 52, Pope 46; Starc 7/58

Australia: 123/9 in 39 overs

Carey 26, Green 24; Stokes 5/23

Day 1 Result: Australia trail by 49 runs.

The former Indian batter, Mohammad Kaif, has not been really happy with the decision of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release the star West Indies all-rounder, Andre Russell, ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The three-time champions would go into the next action with the biggest purse, having dropped several marquee players.

The former Indian batter felt that things might have changed after the appointment of Abhishek Nayar as head coach and added that the latter would be the direct reason behind the release of Russell, insisting that the former Indian assistant coach would perhaps have wanted to work with his own side.

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“Russell’s release is not right. You had him at 12 crore, and that is not a big amount, really, for a player like him. He is a generation player. Yes, he was out of form, but later on he scored runs too. But as coaches change, they bring some changes. I think this was a big call.” Kaif expressed in the video.

Mohammad Kaif puts weight on Abhishek Nayar for release of Andre Russell before IPL 2026

Russell is the second leading run-getter of the Knight Riders in the T20 history of the event with the help of 2658 runs in 115 innings at an average of around 29 and a strike rate of 175.09 with the help of 13 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 88 runs.

“You can say he was not at his peak, but I feel this is such a format, especially in the IPL, where experienced players do well, and there are many examples. I feel the straight answer to his release is Abhishek Nayar. He wants to make his own team now. But this was an astonishing call.” Mohammad Kaif revealed in the same video.

“The quality and power that Russell has, even four players like Cameron Green cannot cover that. The way he plays, he can hit 100m sixes as per will, and he has won so many games from situations where the game seemed lost. He got that respect because of this ability. There are very few players like him at number seven.” The former DC coach shed light.

India’s brutal wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan, experienced a hot and cold campaign during the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-handed batter has smashed 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58 with the help of one century and one fifty. 

Kishan started the campaign with the century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) before ending the season with a fifty against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the former Indian star, Mohammad Kaif, reckoned that the issue would lie in Kishan’s batting position.

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“Ishan Kishan is a better batter at Wankhede. He will open if he plays for the Mumbai Indians. At the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he is batting at number three, and there is a huge difference. Despite taking him for a high price, Hyderabad haven’t been able to give him the right slot.” Kaif expressed during a video on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif sheds light on Ishan Kishan’s probable comeback to Mumbai Indians

Kaif addressed that Kishan would be a perfect fit for the franchise and player. As an opening batter, the southpaw has bagged 2998 runs in 112 innings at an average of nearly 30 and a strike rate of 137.64, with the help of 17 half-centuries and one century at the best score of 106*.

“Maybe Ishan himself would want to go to Mumbai if a deal is possible. For MI, it’s a great option- having an Indian opener and wicket-keeper allows flexibility with foreign players.” Kaif addressed Kishan, who was picked by the franchise for a price of INR 11.25 crore in the auction, as he recalled the moment of meeting Abhishek Sharma.

“I straightaway called Abhishek Sharma and asked what they expected. He said, ‘Just hit every ball, that’s your job, enjoy your game.’ That’s the best part about this team.” Kishan shared after the fixture against the Rajasthan Royals. In 197 innings of the T20s, the southpaw has clubbed 5270 runs at an average of nearly 29 and a strike rate of 134.26 with 29 fifties and four centuries at the best score of unbeaten 113 runs.

The former Indian middle-order batter, Mohammad Kaif, has processed an imaginary auction in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he highlighted the potential highest price between Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. It’s an interesting debate among the fans on which superstar could bag a huge price for the event.

Kaif reckoned that Jasprit Bumrah would have earned the highest price for the IPL auction. The right-arm pacer is currently the sixth leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 183 wickets in 145 innings at an average of 22.02, a strike rate of 18.23, and an economy rate of 7.24, thanks to three four-wicket and a couple of five-wicket hauls.

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“Among the three, Jasprit Bumrah would get the most money. Bumrah will get a lot of money because a bowler like Bumrah comes once in a generation. The kind of work he does for his team is exceptional. Virat the batter, maybe you can find others like him, but Virat the brand, that continues. Nowadays, Virat the brand carries immense value.” Kaif expressed in a video on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif predicts Jasprit Bumrah to earn highest IPL price in imaginary auction

Kohli is the leading run-getter of the IPL with 8661 runs in 259 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 132.85 with 62 fifties and eight centuries, while Rohit has collected 7046 runs at a strike rate of 132.09, thanks to 47 half-centuries and two centuries.

“See, whichever franchise joins the IPL or buys a team, they come to do business. They have invested money, so they want to earn money. It’s simple. They haven’t come here to do anyone a favor or to groom players; all that is nonsense. They are here to do business.” Kaif noted in the video.  

“So, Virat the brand has huge value because of that, and that’s why franchises want him. Their people would love to have Kohli with them. But if you ask who the biggest match-winner is among them, I would put Bumrah far ahead of Virat.” India’s former batter addressed.

The former star batter of India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohammad Kaif, revealed that despite winning the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the champions were put on sale, only months after their success. There have been discussions on the franchise’s ownership, as the confirmation later came from Diageo.

Diageo has already initiated the process of selling the IPL 2025 winners as well as their team for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which is three years old and has a title to its name from the 2024 edition. Kaif claimed that the potential change of ownership won’t affect the winning template on the field.

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“I think the best thing about RCB from last time was how they performed in the auction. They appointed a new captain, and his bonding with Virat Kohli was also good. What hadn’t happened in the team’s history before happened the previous time. Bowlers had more say in their title victory. Whether we talk of Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal.” Kaif expressed on his YouTube video

Mohammad Kaif sheds light on RCB’s winning template ahead of IPL 2026 season

Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, Bengaluru finished the league stage of the tournament in the second position as they earned nine victories in 14 group-stage fixtures at a net run rate of +0.301. Bengaluru got the better of the Punjab Kings in the first qualifier and the final in Mullanpur and Ahmedabad, respectively.

“Whoever comes as owners, RCB have now set a template that Kohli bats at the top and Tim David plays as a finisher. They brought Phil Salt – Kohli and Salt gave good starts. Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya aren’t that big names, but Pandya proved himself as a match-winner with the bat. He also performed well with the ball.” Kaif addressed in the same YouTube video.

For Bengaluru, Virat Kohli was the leading run-getter with 657 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 144.71, while in the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood was the highest wicket-taker as he collected 22 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 17.55, thanks to one four-wicket haul.

The former Indian and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter, Mohammad Kaif, has dropped a shocking statement on Virat Kohli about how the latter has changed in the last few years, with an improvement in his understanding of the game. Kohli featured in the three-match ODI series against Australia and got an unbeaten fifty at the SCG.

Kohli, despite being known for his aggression and attitude for India and all the teams he has played for on the field, has changed in the last few years, according to Kaif. But the former Blue Brigade batter still feels that the Delhi-born had the hunger to improve his game and treated everyone the same as before.

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"Virat Kohli has become a bit calm now. There is a lot of difference between how he was before marriage and how he is after marriage. When I see him playing now, I had met him during an IPL game also, he hit Rabada for a boundary coming down the ground, maybe he had scored a half-century and won the game.” Kaif expressed during a recent video on his YouTube channel.

Mohammed Kaif reflects on changes in Virat Kohli and why he denied contract for RCB

Kaif also shed light on why Kohli didn’t sign the commercial contract of RCB ahead of the IPL 2026. He reckoned that Kohli was playing the waiting game with the recent development, addressing that RCB’s owners had put the franchise up for sale.

“But he was very calm. He told me that if I had not attacked Rabada early on, he would not have let me play. So I wanted to hit him off the first ball. Abhishek is doing the same thing. When it comes to his understanding of cricket, there is improvement with calmness.” Kaif added.

“He still wants to improve his game after having played for so many years. And he still meets me the same way even now. If he called you a brother before, he will call you a brother now as well. When you meet him off the field, he will remember that he has played with you and will give you that respect. There is no change there.” The former Indian batter concluded.