Amid speculation that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to bring Virat Kohli back into the red-ball setup, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that the veteran batter is unlikely to take a Test retirement U-turn.

Kohli bid farewell to his favourite format earlier this year ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. His exemplary returns in ODI cricket have come at a time when Indian fans are concerned about their team's performance in the longest format, especially after the 0-2 whitewash at home against South Africa. Some reports have suggested that the BCCI intends to persuade the former India captain to reverse his decision to retire from Tests.

Kaif recalled that Kohli did not return as captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the second time when Faf du Plessis was released by the franchise in 2024. The cricketer-turned-expert called Kohli a man of his word, someone who sticks to his decisions.

"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," Kaif said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

"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 added.

People will even judge him a lot at this stage and wait for him to get out: Kaif

The Allahabad-born praised Kohli for his splendid century in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.

Kaif highlighted how Kohli looked in great touch despite being out of action for over a month. The former also mentioned that players often look to play for their place in the side when they reach the stage where Kohli is in his career. However, the 37-year-old played for the team, and that is what makes him special, Kaif opined.

"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," said Kaif.