Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has taken an indirect dig at David Warner‘s “perform when it matters” comment, insisting that India were the best team in the 2023 World Cup.

Kaif had said after India lost the World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad that despite the result, India were the best team in the tournament. Speaking to Star Sports, he said, “I can never accept that the best team has won the World Cup. The Indian team is the best team on paper.”

Warner responded to Kaif’s comment on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday. He said that performing when it matters is what is important, rather than who’s stronger on paper. “I like MK [Mohammad Kaif], issue is it does not matter what’s on paper,” wrote Warner.

“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.”

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 👍 https://t.co/DBDOCagG2r

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 22, 2023

The back and forth commentary didn’t end there though. Kaif has now made a post on X (Twitter), insisting on his earlier stance that India were the best team in the World Cup. He hasn’t responded directly to Warner, but has asked Australia to “relax”.

“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,” wrote Kaif.

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.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 23, 2023

India stormed through the league stages and the semi-final of the World Cup before faltering at the final hurdle against Australia, whom they had beaten in their first match of the tournament.

Put in to bat first, India managed to struggle through to 240 on a slow surface which got better as the game progressed. Travis Head then knocked the wind out of India’s sail, scoring a match-winning hundred to take Australia to their sixth World Cup title.