ICC Champions Trophy 2025: "Virat Kohli never accepts defeat" - Ex-India star's stunning statement

India's veteran cricketer Virat Kohli endured a poor run with the bat recently in red-ball cricket. His place in the Indian team was questioned and there were even rumors of his retirement.

However, Kohli will be back in action and will aim to mark a return to form. He will be India's trump card in the upcoming Champions Trophy and former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is quite confident about his abilities.

Kaif feels that Kohli's record in the white-ball format is exceptional and expects him to do well in the Champions Trophy. He reminded everyone of Kohli's stellar numbers in ODIs and backed him to do well in the upcoming tournament.

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Mohammad Kaif backs Virat Kohli to score big in Champions Trophy

While speaking on his YouTube Channel, Mohammad Kaif heaped praises on Virat Kohli's white-ball numbers. He hailed Kohli's never-say-die attitude and claimed that he could not be written off at any point.

"Virat Kohli never accepts defeat and always makes a comeback. Don’t write him off in white ball cricket, the picture is far from over because he has 50 ODI tons to his name and nearly 13,000 runs in ODIs. So, forget what happened in Tests," Kaif said.

Kaif also reminded the viewers of the last time Kohli played in Dubai. He claims that Kohli loves playing in Dubai and expects him to do well in the upcoming Champions Trophy where India will play all its matches in Dubai.

"He plays differently in white ball. The last time Virat Kohli played in Dubai, he scored an unbeaten 122 off 61 balls against Afghanistan and smashed six sixes in his innings. His form was excellent and he loves playing in Dubai so, I expect him to do well with the bat in the Champions Trophy," he added.

Kohli scored 122 off just 61 deliveries in the T20 World Cup 2021 against Afghanistan in Dubai. The veteran India cricketer ended his long century drought, smashing 12 fours and 6 sixes on his way.

"The era has not ended" - Mohammad Kaif on Virat Kohli

Mohammad Kaif believes that Kohli will keep scoring runs if he gets a good start in the Champions Trophy. According to him, he is a top cricketer in white-ball formats and his era will continue.

"If he scores well in the opening game, then he will keep scoring runs, I can take that guarantee. Virat Kohli white ball me ek betaaj badshah hai (Virat Kohli is an uncrowned king in white ball cricket). The era has not ended, it will continue," he added.

Kohli might have retired from the T20I format but he is still an active player in ODIs. He has scored 13906 runs in 295 ODIs at an average of 58.18 and a strike rate of 93.54. Kohli has struck 50 hundreds and 72 fifties in his ODI career so far.

Ranji Trophy return for Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli will be playing Ranji Trophy after a gap of 12 years. He will be available for selection for Delhi's Ranji match against Railways starting from January 30. Mohammad Kaif was in the opposition team Uttar Pradesh played the last time Kohli played a match in the Ranji Trophy.

Kohli had a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy recently in Australia. The 36-year-old scored 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75. He was constantly tested outside off stump and his weakness was fully exploited by a high-class Australian attack.