Manjrekar Slams Virat Kohli for Walking Away From Test Cricket

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has sharply criticised Virat Kohli for stepping away from Test cricket instead of addressing technical issues that affected his red-ball form in recent years. Manjrekar said the decision is particularly disappointing given Kohli’s stature as one of India’s finest-ever Test captains and his deep connection with the longest format.

Kohli retired from Tests in 2025 after a difficult phase that included a challenging tour of Australia, where he managed limited returns across multiple innings. While the former skipper continues to dominate in ODIs, Manjrekar argued that prioritising one-day cricket over Tests reflects a missed opportunity to rebuild and reclaim form in the most demanding format.

Drawing comparisons, Manjrekar pointed to contemporaries Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, who have continued to scale new heights in Test cricket. He said Kohli, despite fitness and experience, chose to “walk away” rather than invest time in correcting persistent issues—particularly against deliveries outside the off stump—that led to repeated dismissals.

Manjrekar added that Kohli’s continued excellence in ODIs does little to compensate for what could have been an extended Test legacy, noting that red-ball cricket remains the ultimate measure of a batter’s resilience and adaptability. He suggested Kohli could have taken the domestic route or played additional first-class cricket to rediscover rhythm, even if it meant time away from the spotlight.

While acknowledging that retirement decisions are personal, Manjrekar said Kohli’s Test exit leaves a lingering sense of sadness among fans who associate him closely with the whites and the traditions of the game.