Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 may have been influenced by more than just his struggles with the bat, according to former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
Virat Kohli announced his Test retirement after India’s tour of Australia. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he struggled for consistency after scoring a century in the first Test in Perth. Kaif believes Kohli may have felt that he was not receiving enough importance, support and faith from people within the Indian team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mohammad Kaif said Virat Kohli’s interviews appeared to show some disappointment. He felt that Kohli may have believed that the team environment was no longer giving him the same backing despite his status and past performances.
Kaif also backed Virat Kohli’s ability to return to form. He pointed to Kohli’s performances in the 2025 Australia ODI series as an example. Virat started that series with two consecutive ducks but later bounced back with a strong innings.
According to Mohammad Kaif, a player with Kohli’s experience should not necessarily be judged in the same way as a newcomer. He stressed that form can decline for any player and that even experienced cricketers cannot perform at their best all the time.
Since retiring from Test cricket, Virat Kohli has continued to make an impact in ODIs. He scored an unbeaten 139 in the opening match of the ongoing series against the West Indies. He has also recorded four centuries and five fifties in his last 11 ODI innings. Kaif further suggested that Virat could continue playing international cricket even after the 2027 ODI World Cup, despite Kohli indicating that the tournament could be his final World Cup.
Mohammad Kaif said Virat Kohli’s fitness and current run-scoring form could be valuable for India, particularly for young captain Shubman Gill. He pointed out that Shubman Gill is already facing challenges with the bowling department because of the absence of senior players. According to Kaif, Virat Kohli staying in the team for a longer period could provide valuable experience and support to Shubman Gill as captain, while also benefiting the Indian team.
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