“There is no doubt about it” - Former India batter makes huge prediction on Virat Kohli after failures in BGT 2024-25

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has backed Virat Kohli to overcome his failures with the bat in the longer format before the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. With Kohli's Test average dipping to 20s in the last few years, Kaif has suggested the senior batter should take part in domestic cricket and work on his technique by playing on both turning and seaming tracks.

Kohli was caught behind while playing outside off stump eight out of eight times during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The right-handed batter has also faced issues against off-spin, especially against left-arm spinners, which came to light during the three-match home Test series against New Zealand.

On Wednesday (January 8) Mohammad Kaid said on X:

“He can overcome it, there is no doubt about it. If you have determination, made up your mind that you are going to put your efforts into it, spend time, play domestic cricket, play on turning tracks, seaming tracks, play practice games, and stay regularly in touch. So, Virat Kohli can make a comeback.”

Virat Kohli in Tests since 2020:

• 2024: 417 runs @24.53
• 2023: 671 runs @55.92
• 2022: 265 runs @26.50
• 2021: 536 runs @28.21
• 2020: 116 runs @19.33

“They need to take a harsh call” – Mohammad Kaif on the importance of domestic cricket

Mohammad Kaif wants the selectors to take harsh calls if players don’t play domestic cricket by citing the examples of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who were stripped of their BCCI contracts. The 44-year-old believes that BCCI should follow suit for senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The duo notably didn’t take part in the 2024 Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test series season, where India played Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia.

Kaif said during the same interaction:

“It’s BCCI’s work that senior players play domestic cricket. They recently removed Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from their contract list. Somewhere, they need to take a harsh call where people are compelled. If there’s an opportunity and you are available, then don’t sit at home. You have to take that call.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out how India have become one of the best sides in limited-overs cricket which was on display during the most recent ODI and T20 World Cups. He stated that the focus on limited-overs format is one of the reasons the country have lagged in Tests.

Kaif concluded:

“Why we are a big team in white-ball format because the world’s best players come to play IPL. When you get exposed, you play with good players. Then you are going to improve. It’s quite obvious.

"Why did we reach the ODI World Cup final against Australia and won the T20 World Cup, it’s because we are giving more importance to white-ball cricket. BCCI is focusing a lot on it. There’s glamour, the entire focus is on the white ball.”

Mohammad Kaif has represented India in 13 Tests and 125 ODIs.