Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked fresh debate around Virat Kohli and the current Indian team management after suggesting that the star batter may no longer feel comfortable in the dressing room environment under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s comments came after Virat Kohli recently spoke about wanting to continue international cricket only if he feels respected and valued within the team setup. During an appearance on the RCB Podcast, Virat Kohli explained that he does not want to be in an atmosphere where he constantly has to prove his worth or justify his place in the side.
Reacting to those remarks, Sanjay Manjrekar hinted that Virat Kohli’s comments were likely directed at the current team environment created by the coach and selectors. He suggested that the meaning behind Virat Kohli’s statement was quite easy to understand.
The former cricketer also compared the current setup with the time when Ravi Shastri was India’s head coach. According to Sanjay Manjrekar, Virat Kohli enjoyed strong support during that phase, both as a captain and as a player. He said that Ravi Shastri consistently backed and motivated Virat Kohli throughout his tenure.
Sanjay Manjrekar further pointed out that things began to change after Rahul Dravid left the coaching role and Gautam Gambhir took charge. He suggested that Virat Kohli may not have felt the same level of comfort or support in the new environment.
The former batter also mentioned that a new chairman of selectors came in with a different vision for Indian cricket. Without directly naming anyone, Sanjay Manjrekar described the selector as a strong and self-respecting individual whose plans for the team differ from those of previous selection committees.
Virat Kohli’s comments and Sanjay Manjrekar’s observations have now added fuel to ongoing speculation about possible tensions within the Indian dressing room. While no official statement has been made regarding any disagreement, the discussion has once again put the spotlight on the relationship between senior players and the current management.
As Indian cricket continues to transition into a new phase, all eyes will remain on how Virat Kohli’s role evolves under the present leadership group.
