Mohammad Kaif, the former India cricketer, believes Virat Kohli possibly wanted to carry on in the Test format, but a behind-the-scenes conversation with the BCCI might have played a role in his decision to retire.

India’s star batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket. Although he hadn’t been in great form with the bat over the past few years in the format, many expected him to continue following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket.

While some experts have speculated about the reasons behind his decision, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif suggested that Kohli might have intended to carry on.

“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.” said Kaif in an interview with IANS

“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,” Kaif added

“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.” he said

“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’.” Kaif concluded