Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif spoke on the ongoing speculations regarding Virat Kohli’s IPL future with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The cricketer-turned-commentator said Kohli is waiting for clarity on the management of the Bengaluru franchise before finalizing commercial agreements.
Virat has reportedly not renewed his professional contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. This has led to speculation about his IPL future, with fans and media debating whether the right-handed batsman might consider retiring from the tournament.
Kohli played a key role in RCB’s first IPL title win during the 18th season. The right-handed batsman was the team’s leading run-scorer, scoring 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 139.78, which included eight half-centuries.
Is Virat Kohli retiring from IPL? -Mohammed Kaif
Speaking in a video uploaded on his Instagram, Mohammad Kaif said that he does not believe that Kohli will ever leave Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kaif told that Kohli had promised the fans that he would play his last IPL match for Bengaluru.
Kaif said, “Is Virat Kohli retiring from IPL? No friends, Virat Kohli had promised that he will play his first and last match for Bengaluru only. He has made this promise and since he has done so, he will not go back. But people are saying that he has not signed any commercial contract. There are two deals, players’ contract and commercial contract.”
The reason he didn’t sign a professional contract is… – Mohammad Kaif
Kaif said that Kohli might have delayed signing the commercial contract due to a possible change in the ownership of the franchise. He said Kohli is probably waiting to see how the new owners manage the team before finalizing any deal.
“They have not signed the commercial contract because a new owner may come for RCB and they will control the franchise,” Kaif said.
He said, “So he is waiting, if there is any change then there will be talks etc. These are all behind the scenes things and we do not have much information about these things. He is waiting for all this.”
British company Diageo Plc, which runs Royal Challengers Bangalore through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits, is exploring the possibility of selling part or all of its stake in the franchise. Bloomberg reported that this decision could help simplify the company’s global operations.
Virat Kohli has just started playing – Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif said that as long as Virat Kohli is a part of the team, Royal Challengers Bangalore will continue to achieve success. The former cricketer said that the batsman has played an important role in RCB’s victory.
The former player said, “Virat Kohli has just started playing. RCB has started winning trophies now. Kohli has scored 650+ runs and made them win trophies. He is not going anywhere. Kohli will only play for RCB. He has made this promise to the fans and he will not break it.”
Kohli has been playing for Bengaluru since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. They achieved their first IPL title this year when RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the final. Kohli led the team in the 2016 final, where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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