Vikas Kohli Fires Back at Sanjay Manjrekar Over IPL 2025 Criticism of Virat Kohli
In a fiery social media exchange, Vikas Kohli, brother of Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, has taken a sharp jab at former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar over his controversial remarks about Virat during the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Manjrekar’s comments, made on various platforms, have sparked a heated debate among fans and pundits alike.
Manjrekar criticized Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and downplayed the iconic Virat Kohli vs. Jasprit Bumrah rivalry, stating it no longer qualifies as a ‘best vs. best’ matchup. He controversially claimed that Kohli, the highest run-scorer in IPL history with over 7,500 runs, is past his prime and excluded him from his personal list of top 10 IPL 2025 batters. This critique came despite Kohli’s stellar form this season, which has seen him notch up multiple match-winning performances for RCB.
Responding on the social media platform Threads, Vikas Kohli didn’t hold back, targeting Manjrekar’s own playing career. He posted, ‘Sanjay Manjrekar. Career ODI strike rate: 64.31. Easy to talk about 200-plus strike rates.’ This pointed remark highlighted the disparity between Manjrekar’s conservative battingstats during his playing days and the aggressive, high-octane T20 cricket of today, questioning his credibility to judge modern greats like Virat.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli continues to let his bat do the talking. In a recent clash against Delhi Capitals, he scored his sixth half-century in just ten innings this IPL season, powering RCB to maintain their unbeaten away record. His knock was a masterclass in adaptability on a tricky, slow pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, underscoring why he remains a dominant force with a career IPL average of over 38 and a strike rate nearing 130.
Reflecting on the victory, Kohli emphasized the importance of building partnerships in T20 cricket, especially on challenging surfaces. ‘It was a top win, especially looking at the surface. We’ve seen a few games here, and this wicket played out differently. Whenever there’s a chase on, I keep checking with the dugout to ensure we’re on course,’ he said. Kohli also detailed his meticulous approach to chases, considering the target, conditions, and opposition bowlers to maintain momentum through singles and doubles.
During the match, Kohli forged a crucial partnership with Krunal Pandya, who celebrated his first IPL fifty in nine years. Praising Pandya’s impact, Kohli noted, ‘Krunal was outstanding. He can make a difference, and it was just about time. We communicated beautifully, with Krunal telling me to stay while he took his chances.’ The finishing touches were applied by Tim David, whose explosive 19 off just 5 balls sealed the deal after Kohli’s dismissal.
Kohli also lauded RCB’s depth, mentioning the firepower of players like Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd at the back end, and commended the spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma for their attacking approach in the middle overs. He didn’t shy away from acknowledging the pace attack either, with Josh Hazlewood holding the Purple Cap and Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivering consistently.
The IPL 2025 season has seen slower pitches across venues, challenging even the best batters. Yet, players like Kohli and KL Rahul have adapted brilliantly, proving their class. Kohli’s form—averaging over 50 this season with a strike rate above 145—serves as a resounding response to critics like Manjrekar.
As the IPL progresses, this controversy only adds fuel to the fiery narrative surrounding Virat Kohli and RCB’s campaign. Will Kohli continue to defy his doubters and lead RCB to their maiden IPL title? Only time will tell, but for now, the King of Cricket remains firmly on his throne.