Virat Kohli’s sudden announcement of his retirement from Test cricket has stunned fans and experts alike. Now, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has added a new layer to the unfolding narrative, suggesting that the decision may have stemmed from a lack of backing by the BCCI and the national selectors.
Kohli, who amassed 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, shared the news via Instagram on Monday, confirming his departure from the longest format of the game with immediate effect. The shock was intensified by the timing — just five days after India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from the format.
According to Kaif, the decision was likely not one that Virat Kohli had planned in advance. “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 out that Kohli’s participation in the Ranji Trophy was a strong indication that he was eyeing a return to red-ball cricket. “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.
While the true reasons behind Kohli’s abrupt retirement remain unclear, Kaif’s remarks have reignited discussions about the internal dynamics and player-management relations within Indian cricket.
