Sanjay Manjrekar Critiques Virat Kohli's Test Retirement
Manjrekar's Disappointment Over Kohli's Exit from Test Cricket
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his discontent regarding Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket. He expressed his sadness over Kohli stepping away from the longest format while contemporaries like Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson continue to excel. On his official Instagram account, Manjrekar shared that Kohli's decision has left him feeling disheartened, particularly when observing the consistent performances of these players.
Reflections on Kohli's Commitment
"As Joe Root reaches new milestones in Test cricket, I can't help but think of Virat Kohli. It's unfortunate that during the five years of his struggles before retiring, he didn't fully invest himself in understanding the reasons behind his average of 31 in Test matches," Manjrekar remarked.
He noted that despite Kohli's recent challenges in Test cricket, he still possessed the fitness and determination to attempt a comeback. Manjrekar believes Kohli could have explored more options to regain his form before deciding to retire from the format.
Concerns Over Kohli's Choice of Format
"It saddens me to see players like Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson making significant strides in Test cricket. While Kohli's retirement from all forms of cricket is one thing, his choice to continue playing One Day Internationals is more disappointing to me, as I consider this format to be the easiest for a top-order batsman," he added.
Manjrekar emphasized that Test cricket remains the ultimate test for a batsman, and Kohli's exceptional fitness could have enabled him to continue competing at the highest level.
The Challenge of Test Cricket
"The format that truly challenges a player is Test cricket, while T20 has its own set of difficulties. Given Kohli's remarkable fitness, I believe he could have fought to regain his form. Even if he was omitted from a series, he could have played first-class cricket in Australia, England, or more matches in India to attempt a comeback. That would have genuinely pleased me," Manjrekar elaborated.
He acknowledged that the final decision lies with the player, but Kohli's absence from Test cricket continues to trouble him, especially when he sees modern greats performing well. "When I see Joe Root scoring centuries or Steve Smith and Kane Williamson excelling, I feel a sense of disappointment and sadness for Kohli, who once cared deeply for Test cricket," he concluded.
Kohli's Impact in Test Cricket
Virat Kohli's 14-year tenure in Test cricket transformed India into a formidable team. He brought aggression and a culture of fitness to a squad that balanced youth and experience. Throughout his career, Kohli scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, making him India's fourth-highest run-scorer in this format.