"He is a man of his word" - Former RCB batter's huge statement on Virat Kohli's Test retirement amid IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Mohammad Kaif made a massive statement on Virat Kohli's Test retirement amid the ODIs between India and South Africa. Following India's 0-2 loss in the Test series against the Proteas at home, and Kohli scoring a century in the first ODI, discussions emerged about him returning to play Tests.

However, when asked about the same at the post-match presentations after the first ODI, Virat Kohli made it clear that he will be playing just one format. Similarly, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Kohli was a man of his word and would stick to a decision once he made it. He highlighted how the star batter did not even return as RCB captain in IPL 2025 after Faf du Plessis was released. The franchise named Rajat Patidar as skipper, and Kohli backed the call as well.

Kaif asserted that Kohli would not reverse his retirement and play Test cricket again.

"Kohli has a habit of sticking to the decision that he makes. There are many players who have reversed their retirements. But Kohli is not among them. Even after he left captaincy in the IPL, the last time people told he should return as captain, but he did not. He made the decision and looked to back a junior and Patidar was the captain. He has the guts that after he has taken the call, no matter what the reason is, he has taken it after thinking a lot, he will not come back now. People do want him but once these calls are taken, he is a man of his word, he will not come back," he said on his YouTube channel.

Kaif also reflected that it showed Virat Kohli's nature as a person. His quality of sticking to his word gained him the respect and trust of his teammates, the former RCB batter stated. Kaif felt that it was a testimony to his discipline, even in aspects outside, like his game and fitness.

"It shows how good a human being he is too. There is discipline everywhere. How do you earn respect? If you have told something, he will back what he has told and he will not go back on his words. Such people can be respected and trusted by everyone."

Kohli announced his retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour in 2025. He played 123 matches and scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 hundreds.

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Mohammad Kaif on what makes Virat Kohli a great batter

Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Virat Kohli playing after a gap of over a month and still scoring a brilliant hundred made him a great batter. Kohli had played during the Australia ODIs before the South Africa series.

In the first game against the Proteas, he smashed a 120-ball 135 at a strike-rate of 112.5. His knock comprised 11 fours and seven maximums. Kaif reflected that Kohli could have scored a double hundred the way he was batting, but slowed down as India lost wickets in the middle.

With his place in question for the 2027 World Cup, Virat Kohli has been under tremendous pressure during each knock he plays. Despite the same, he did not bat for his place but showed aggression and attacking intent.

"He played after a month. He was not in touch also in between or played anywhere. But the way he batted in Ranchi, he was batting according to his will. He could even have hit a double hundred but he had to change his tempo after wickets fell in between. It is seen very less the mood in which he was batting. People will even judge him a lot at this stage and wait for him to get out. This stage is very difficult for a cricketer. He cannot play such an innings under this pressure. They will look to play for their place and play it safe. But he did not bat like that. He is great for this reason," Kaif said.

Virat Kohli will aim to carry his form in the remaining two matches of the series as well.