Virat Kohli Was Keen to Continue in Tests but Lacked BCCI Backing, Says Former India Cricketer

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Virat Kohli's unexpected retirement from Test cricket has stirred conversations across the cricketing community, with former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif suggesting that a lack of backing from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors may have influenced the decision.

Kohli, who amassed 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, announced on Instagram earlier this week that he would be stepping away from the longest format with immediate effect. His announcement followed just five days after India captain Rohit Sharma called time on his own Test career.

Speaking on the matter, Kaif offered his perspective on the abrupt development. "I think he wanted to continue in the format. There must have been some internal talks with the BCCI, the selectors may have cited his form in the past 5-6 years and told him his spot in the team may no longer be there. We will never find out what happened, it is very difficult to guess what actually took place behind the scenes," he said.

Kaif pointed to Kohli's recent participation in domestic cricket as a sign of his intent to stage a comeback. "But given the last-minute decision, having played the Ranji Trophy, I definitely think he wanted to come back in the upcoming Tests. The developments in the last few weeks, he may have not gotten the support he thought he will get from BCCI and selectors which he may not have gotten," Kaif added.

Kohli's struggles in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy series also raised questions. He managed only 190 runs in nine innings, 100 of which came in a single unbeaten knock in Perth.

"In the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he looked in a hurry to score runs," Kaif observed. "You have to stay out for hours and grind in Test cricket, which he has done in the past but the constant edging of the ball moving away from him while attempting to drive, made me feel his patience was a bit less."

Kaif further speculated on Kohli's mental approach, saying, "Maybe he was thinking 'I am in the last phase of my career what's the point of scoring a gritty century.' There used to be a different level of patience on display from him before... but I did not see that from him in Australia."

"That one method of dismissal at the slips perhaps shows that he was not ready to spend hours at the crease. The communication from BCCI and the self-realization in red-ball cricket may have led to the decision," he added.

While Kaif wasn't surprised by Rohit Sharma's decision to step away after opting out of the Sydney Test, Kohli's retirement left him puzzled. "On the other hand, Virat's decision left me confused. Yes, in his Test career his numbers have come down in the past few years, but a 36-year-old fit Virat Kohli could have comeback like he has proved before."

Kaif also highlighted Kohli's past admiration for Test cricket, saying, "It felt he would play for a few years, guiding the youth players. This is a very private decision, he always used to say that it is his favourite format. If you look at any interview of his he always used to ring praises of the Test format."

"He used to enjoy it because he used to love the gruelling challenge and he often encouraged the youngsters to follow his route to keep Test cricket from dying. He used to tell youngsters to earn the Test cap and it highly benefited Indian cricket," Kaif said.