New Delhi: Amid speculation over Virat Kohli’s future with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has issued a clarification. Recently, reports went viral about Kohli declining a commercial deal with RCB, sparking speculation over his future with the franchise.
Rumours went viral that the star India batter might leave the franchise and retire from the IPL. However, Kaif has claimed that Kohli will continue playing for RCB and remains committed to the franchise despite not having inked a commercial deal with the team. The former India batter insisted Kohli will play his final IPL game in Bengaluru like he has promised in the past.
“Is Virat Kohli retiring from the IPL? No guys (or people), Virat Kohli had promised that he would play his first and last match for Bengaluru only. He has promised this, and since he has done it, he will not back out. But people are saying he hasn’t signed a commercial deal. There are two deals: the player’s contract and the commercial contract,” Kaif explained in an Instagram video.
The 36-year-old, who retired from T20Is last year and quit Test cricket earlier this year, has shifted his entire focus to ODIs. However, his future in ODIs too remains uncertain as India begin a new chapter under skipper Shubman Gill. The lack of game time in international cricket throughout the year and the BCCI’s diktat on playing domestic cricket when not on national duty might push the duo towards retirement.
Both Kohli and Rohit are part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia and would aim to make a strong comeback as they return to action for the Men in Blue for the first time since the Champions Trophy earlier this year. However, there are no questions about Kohli’s future in the IPL as he is expected to play for as long as he wants.
Kaif explains why Kohli has not signed a commercial contract with RCB
Explaining the possible reason behind Kohli not signing a commercial contract with RCB, Kaif said it could be down to a potential change in ownership at the franchise. Recently, reports claimed that RCB owners are considering selling the franchise to balance their books. Kaif believes Kohli might be waiting for fresh negotiations before signing a new commercial deal.
“The reason he has not signed a commercial contract is because a new owner might come for RCB, and they will control the franchise. That’s why he is waiting, if there’s a change, then there will be negotiation and all. These are all behind-the-scenes stuff and we don’t have a lot of information about these things. He is waiting for all that,” Kaif claimed.
Kohli, who has been with RCB since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, realised his dream of winning his maiden title with the franchise earlier this year. RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final to win the IPL 2025 title, ending Kohli and the franchise’s 18-year-long wait for their maiden triumph. Kohli is IPL’s leading run-getter of all time with 8661 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.55 and a strike rate of 132.86, including 63 fifties and 8 tons.