Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked debate by asserting that comparing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test performances is unfair. Speaking after India’s defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Manjrekar highlighted the stark contrast in their contributions and suggested that Kohli deserves more time to regain his form.
Manjrekar: “No Comparison Between Rohit and Kohli”
India’s captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli both faced criticism following another underwhelming performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the second innings of the Melbourne Test, Rohit fell for 9 off 40 balls, showing solid defense before being dismissed by Pat Cummins. Kohli, on the other hand, was out for just 5, falling to a familiar flaw—chasing a wide delivery.
Manjrekar emphasized Kohli’s superior credentials as a Test batter, stating that his record and skill set place him among the greats, while Rohit excels more in the shorter formats. “There’s no comparison between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Tests. Kohli is a great Test batter, while Rohit is a good one. His greatness lies in white-ball cricket,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
Batting Coach’s Role Questioned
The former cricketer also questioned the role of India’s batting coach, citing Kohli’s repeated dismissals to deliveries outside the off-stump. “Virat Kohli is too fine a player to be struggling with the same problem repeatedly. This raises questions about the batting coach. Enough has been said about Kohli; he needs to be left alone to work through this,” Manjrekar added.
Rohit Sharma’s Position Under Scrutiny
Rohit Sharma’s poor run of form in the series has raised concerns, with scores of 3, 6, 10, 3, and 9 across five innings, totaling just 31 runs. Despite his struggles, Manjrekar believes that the responsibility for Indian cricket’s future does not solely lie with Rohit. “It’s not just about Rohit Sharma deciding the next steps. The chairman of selectors holds the authority to make decisions in the best interest of Indian cricket,” he said.
Manjrekar also noted that Rohit seems burdened, describing him as being “in the doldrums.” In contrast, Kohli, who began the series with a century in Perth, has faltered in the last three matches due to his recurring issue with wide deliveries.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Both Kohli and Rohit have averaged slightly above 24 in Tests in 2024. Rohit has scored two centuries and two fifties this year, while Kohli has one century and one half-century to his name. Despite their occasional flashes of brilliance, their performances in the longer format have been underwhelming, attracting criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Looking Ahead
India’s Test batting lineup is at a crossroads, with two of its most prominent players struggling to find consistency. While Manjrekar’s comments highlight Kohli’s pedigree and the need for patience, they also underscore the urgency for a collective effort to address the team’s challenges.
