Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a fresh debate after criticising Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket while continuing to play ODIs. Manjrekar said it upsets him to see Kohli walk away from the format he once symbolised, especially when players like Joe Root and Steve Smith continue to dominate red-ball cricket for their teams.
Kohli retired from Test cricket last year at the age of 37 following a disappointing tour of Australia. During the series, he managed just 194 runs in 10 innings, with half of those runs coming in a single innings in Perth. The decision shocked fans and experts alike, considering Kohli’s intense passion for Test cricket and his status as one of India’s greatest red-ball captains.
Unfinished business in whites
Virat Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85. Despite being a part of the Fab Four, he fell short of the 10,000-run milestone, a target he had often spoken about during the early stages of his career. Manjrekar believes that missing out on this landmark makes the decision even more painful.
Speaking on his Instagram handle, Manjrekar highlighted that Kohli struggled for nearly five years in Test cricket, averaging close to 31. He pointed out that Kohli never fully addressed his technical issues, particularly his weakness outside the off-stump. In his final Test series in Australia, all nine of Kohli’s dismissals came in a similar fashion, which, according to Manjrekar, showed a lack of technical correction.
Why choosing ODIs disappointed Manjrekar
Manjrekar admitted he would have been more accepting if Kohli had retired from all formats of the game. What disappointed him more was Kohli’s choice to continue playing ODIs, a format Manjrekar has previously described as the easiest for a top-order batter. He feels prioritising one-day cricket over Test matches takes away from the legacy Kohli built in whites.
While Kohli continues to score heavily in ODIs, Manjrekar believes Test cricket deserved more perseverance from a player who once defined India’s aggressive red-ball era. His comments have reignited discussions around legacy, mental toughness, and the true measure of greatness in Test cricket.
FAQs
Q: What did Sanjay Manjrekar say about Virat Kohli’s Test retirement?
A: Manjrekar said Kohli walked away from Test cricket when he should have fought through his struggles.
Q: Why is Sanjay Manjrekar disappointed with Virat Kohli Test retirement?
A: He feels Kohli should have worked on his weaknesses instead of quitting Tests while continuing to play ODIs.
Q: Did Sanjay Manjrekar criticise Kohli for playing ODIs?
A: Yes, he said choosing the easier format over Test cricket was more disappointing than the retirement itself.
Q: How many Test runs did Virat Kohli score before retiring?
A: Virat Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches before announcing his retirement.
