Indian talisman Virat Kohli has recently retired from the red-ball format. Though his form has been on a dip in the last few series, there was an anticipation, especially after Rohit Sharma called it a day in the format, that Kohli would continue and play against England in June next month. While there have been a few speculations on what might have gone on behind Kohli’s decision from a few experts, Mohammad Kaif predicted Kohli might wanted to continue.
“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.”
“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 not have gotten the support he thought he would get from BCCI and selectors, which he may not have gotten,” said Kaif in an exclusive conversation with IANS.
“In the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he looked in a hurry to score runs. 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.”
“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, he used to leave the balls, take his time, tire the bowlers and then took them down 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 elaborated.
