Legendary batter Virat Kohli sent shock waves in India and across the globe by stepping away from Test cricket on May 12. Taking to Instagram, the star batter penned an emotional note to say goodbye to a format, which was very close to his heart. While there are speculations still going around on why the 36-year-old quit from Test cricket, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that Kohli might have wanted to continue playing Test cricket.
On several interviews, Kohli has vouched that playing Test cricket for as long as he wants is his ultimate desire, as he said that its the ultimate format, as it tests you in every was possible.
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Mohammad Kaif on what prompted Virat Kohli to retire from Test cricket early
“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.”
Kaif also stated that Virat Kohli might have felt he was in the last phase of his career in Test cricket. The 36-year-old had a dismal Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed to score just 186 runs in five Test matches. The former captain was also out, most often chasing wide balls outside the off stump. Kaif elaborated that not working on that weakness, might be one of factors which hinted that time that Kohli was done playing Test cricket.
“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.
