India’s World Test Championship hopes took a hit after the Colombo draw, leaving their path to the final far more complicated. India remained fifth in the WTC standings after missing out on a 2-0 series win, with Sri Lanka sitting sixth. The result has left India with little margin for error in their push to finish in the top two. With seven Tests still remaining in their WTC campaign, India will need to win at least six of them to keep control of their qualification hopes. The challenge will be even greater with Australia among their remaining opponents, making the dropped opportunity in Colombo all the more costly.
Virat Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025
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Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif felt India could have used a more vocal presence on the field during the final day in Colombo, drawing a comparison with Virat Kohli’s fearless leadership style. During his captaincy, Kohli was known for keeping the intensity high, constantly communicating with his players and refusing to let the team lose focus in long Test spells.
“Playing Tests isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, boss. It’s a very long game and you have to keep bowling continuously. I felt that if someone like Virat Kohli had been playing this match, he would have been constantly shouting and keeping his team switched on," Kaif said.
Deep Dive
How did the draw in the Colombo Test affect India's World Test Championship hopes?
The draw complicated India's path to the World Test Championship final, leaving them in fifth place and needing to win at least six of their remaining seven Tests to maintain control over their qualification hopes.
What did Mohammad Kaif suggest about Virat Kohli's impact on the game in Colombo?
Kaif suggested that Kohli's vocal and intense leadership style could have changed the outcome of the match, as he would have kept the team's energy levels high and maintained focus during crucial moments.
Why did Shubman Gill's captaincy come under scrutiny during the Colombo Test?
Gill's captaincy faced questions due to his lack of experienced voices around him and his visible struggles to manage the game effectively against a determined Sri Lankan side, reflecting his limited experience as a Test captain.
He felt India’s approach lacked the urgency required to finish off the game, suggesting the bowlers became too comfortable as Sri Lanka’s resistance grew.
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He felt India’s approach lacked the urgency required to finish off the game, suggesting the bowlers became too comfortable as Sri Lanka’s resistance grew.
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“At times, I felt we took things for granted, thinking, ‘Just keep bowling, it will happen. The ball is turning so much, it will happen on its own," Kaif said.
“If Virat Kohli had been playing result would have been different”
Kaif continued to question India’s intensity in Colombo, saying they did little to create pressure on their own and appeared short of energy as Sri Lanka fought to save the Test. He again brought up Kohli’s presence, believing the former captain’s aggressive approach and ability to lift those around him could have changed the outcome.
“We created very few things ourselves. Our energy levels were also very low. That is why I am saying, if Virat Kohli had been playing this Test, the result would have been different," Kaif said.
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“The reason is that he would have been telling everyone, ‘Come on, Sarfaraz, come on, Jaiswal’ and he would have gone after Sonal as well. Who were we getting into confrontations with? We were getting into confrontations with Kumara," Kaif added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/‘Virat Kohli would have been constantly shouting’: Kaif explains how ex-captain could have changed India’s Colombo fate
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