Indian cricket fans have been given a big reason to dream, as Mohammad Kaif has openly backed Virat Kohli to play till the 2031 ICC World Cup on home soil. The former Indian batsman has insisted that age is not an issue for Virat Kohli.
Kaif said there is only one thing that will decide his future in the international arena and that is Kohli’s hunger and enjoyment for the game. He also told that after getting out for zero twice on the Australia tour, Kohli’s current form with the bat is no less than excellent.
Mohammad Kaif supports Virat Kohli to play till 2031 World Cup
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The former Indian captain scored two centuries and three fifties in ODIs and then continued the same intensity in domestic cricket, scoring a century and a fifty for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. And Kaif feels that this excellent form clearly shows that the fire is still burning.
Mohammad Kaif told Ravish Bisht on his YouTube channel, “If Virat Kohli stays motivated, enjoys the game and really wants to continue playing, he can easily play for at least five years. The way I look at it is that if he himself wants to play, if he is having fun, and if the crowd is making noise, then I think he should play for at least five years.”
Age doesn’t matter to Kohli: Kaif
Kaif also highlighted that Kohli becomes a different player when he wears the India jersey, chases targets, enjoys the crowd noise and plays with freedom. Given this, Kaif feels that “age doesn’t really matter” and Kohli should play another World Cup in front of the home crowd.
He further said, “People should not talk about him being 42 or 43 years old. He is Virat Kohli. The 2031 World Cup is to be played in India, so the environment will push him further.”
Furthermore, Kaif clarified that the decision to continue till the 2031 World Cup has nothing to do with the selectors or the coaches, but entirely depends on Kohli. Kaif feels that if the motivation, happiness and hunger remain strong, there is no reason why Kohli cannot continue at the top level for at least five years and even take part in the 2031 ICC World Cup.
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The former Indian batsman further insisted, “From what I can see, he has at least five strong years left, provided his fitness, happiness and hunger come from within. It has nothing to do with the selectors or the coaches. It only depends on Virat Kohli himself.”
No one can leave Kohli
Kaif believes that Kohli’s fitness will never be a problem. According to the cricket pundit, the only real question is about form and he has no doubts about that, especially in ODIs, where Kohli has been one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen. He emphasized that no such thing would happen; People might be waiting for Virat to be dropped due to his poor form.
He signed off by saying, “His fitness will never be a matter of concern because he will always be on edge in that area. The problem will be his form. And in ODIs, everyone knows he is a legend. So, I am not even worried about his form. Nobody will be able to get him out. The way Virat Kohli comes and plays in this format, it will not be possible to get him out.”
according to @mohammadkaif Virat @imVkohli Kohli can play 2031 World Cup. Looking at Virat Kohli’s form and fitness, no decision can be taken on him. #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/d3i2kew1je
– Ravish Bisht (@ravishbofficial) 14 January 2026
