Mohammad Kaif comes up with strong remarks about Virat Kohli
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Virat Kohli has nothing left to prove by returning to domestic cricket, insisting that the former captain’s commitment, hunger, and passion for representing India remain as strong as ever. Kaif’s remarks came in the aftermath of India’s 1-2 series defeat against New Zealand, during which Kohli emerged as India’s leading run-scorer despite the team’s overall struggles. According to Kaif, players of Kohli’s stature are driven by an internal motivation that does not diminish with experience or age, making additional domestic appearances unnecessary to validate their form or intent.
Mohammad Kaif gives a cryptic reply to Virat Kohli critics
Kohli’s performances across the series reinforced that view. In the opening ODI in Vadodara, he played a composed yet authoritative knock of 93 from 91 deliveries, anchoring the innings and keeping India competitive. Although he failed to make a significant contribution in the second match at Rajkot, where he was dismissed cheaply, the senior batter bounced back strongly in the decisive third game. Kohli produced a magnificent century, scoring 124 runs off 108 balls, once again showcasing his class and determination. Unfortunately, his effort came in a losing cause as India fell short in the series decider, but his consistency and intensity remained unquestionable.
Mohammad Kaif further praised Virat Kohli’s remarkable ability to deliver consistent performances despite limited match practice at the international level. He highlighted how Kohli continues to score runs even after long breaks from competitive cricket, a trait that sets him apart from most players. According to Kaif, such consistency reflects Kohli’s exceptional discipline, fitness, and mental strength, proving that his hunger to perform for India remains intact regardless of time away from the game.
India’s next ODI assignment is scheduled for June later this year, meaning Kohli is unlikely to feature in the format for several months. Having already retired from Test and T20 International cricket, the former captain has naturally spent much of the current season away from international action. Despite this, his recent performances suggest that rust is rarely an issue when he returns to the field. Kaif believes this ability to switch back into high-performance mode without extended preparation is a hallmark of elite players and further reinforces why Kohli does not require domestic cricket to maintain his standards at the highest level.
“Virat has become that player who is seen once in a while now. But he comes, scores runs, and then goes back to London. It has become like that. He comes, scores, and goes. It is not easy to score so consistently when you are not playing regularly. But it is his passion, his fitness, his pride in playing for the country, his knowledge of the game, and his own preparation. He has proved it,” stated former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
Mohammad Kaif reiterated that Virat Kohli has reached a stage in his career where playing domestic cricket is no longer a necessity for international preparedness. He explained that Kohli possesses the experience, discipline, and self-awareness to condition himself for high-level competition through alternative methods such as targeted training, fitness routines, and focused practice sessions. According to Kaif, players of Kohli’s calibre understand their bodies and games far better than younger cricketers, allowing them to fine-tune their skills without the need for domestic match exposure. Kaif emphasized that Kohli’s mental approach and match readiness cannot be questioned, as his passion for performing on the international stage continues to drive him.
Following an intense and closely contested IND vs NZ ODI series, India and New Zealand are now set to shift their focus to the shortest format with a five-match T20 International series. The series will provide both sides an opportunity to test their combinations and build momentum ahead of upcoming global tournaments. The opening T20I is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 21, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. With both teams carrying form and confidence from the ODIs, the T20I series promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining contest for fans.
“There is no need for him to play domestic cricket now. Anyone can get match practice, but the passion he has is not available in any market. Where will you get that from? Even in the last game, he was the hope. Virat will single-handedly win against 10 players standing in front of him too,” Kaif added.
