Following India's defeat to Australia in the World Cup 2023 final, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif found himself at the centre of a debate. Kaif, who initially labelled India as the tournament's best team on paper, faced criticism from Australian cricketers like David Warner and former player Damien Martyn, who contested his statement. However, Kaif has now taken to social media with a new statement, urging Australia to 'relax'.
Despite India's loss, Kaif maintained his stance that India were the strongest team on paper. "I can never accept that the best team has not won the World Cup. The Indian team is the best team on paper," Kaif, who was one of the pundits on Star Sports, said on air.
When social media cricket analyst Glenn Mitchell shared Kaif's comments, they went viral on social media platform of X. "I think someone needs to remind former Indian batter, Mohammad Kaif that World Cup finals are won on a cricket field and not on paper," Mitchell remarked alongside Kaif's quote.
Responding to Mitchell's post, David Warner chimed in, acknowledging Kaif but emphasising that performance on the field matters most in a final. "I like MK, issue is it does not matter what's on paper. At the end of the day, you need to perform when it matters. That's why they call it a final. That's the day that counts and it can go either way, that's sports. 2027 here we come," Warner responded to the post on X.
'It Was Australia’s Day In Final': Mohammad Kaif
Kaif, without directly addressing Warner, urged Australia to "relax" in a subsequent post on X. In his response, Kaif reiterated his stance that India was the tournament's best team and stated, "Facts: It was Australia's day in final, they won, they are World Cup winners. More facts: India comprehensively won 10 games, they lost 11th, they had the best bowlers and batters. They were the tournament's best team. Both facts, on paper and on field. Relax Australia."
India had dominated the World Cup's league stages and the semi-final before stumbling against Australia in the final, a team they had previously defeated in their opening match of the tournament. India struggled to a total of 240 after being put in to bat on a slow surface and Travis Head's century guided Australia to their sixth World Cup triumph, shattering India's aspirations.