Virat Kohli Encouraged to Play County Cricket by Sanjay Manjrekar

Discussions regarding Virat Kohli’s future in the Indian Test squad have intensified. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has emphasized the need for Kohli to engage in more red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming England tour, beginning on June 20.

Sanjay Manjrekar suggests that Virat Kohli could benefit from participating in the County Championship to enhance his performance. The suggestion mirrors Cheteshwar Pujara’s successful stint in county cricket, which has been beneficial for him. Kohli and fellow cricketer Rohit Sharma have faced criticism due to their underwhelming performances leading to India’s defeats against both New Zealand and Australia. Kohli’s struggles were particularly notable; he managed to score only 93 runs from three matches against New Zealand and gathered 195 runs across five matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Kohli’s difficulty with deliveries pitched outside off stump led to frequent dismissals during the series in Australia. This performance has stirred doubts about the futures of both Kohli and Sharma in the Test format. India’s failure to make it to the World Test Championship final has added to the scrutiny of these players.

Nevertheless, Manjrekar remains hopeful about Kohli’s ability to return to form but stresses the importance of thorough preparation in red-ball cricket. It is worth noting that Kohli has not engaged in domestic cricket for over a decade. However, recent reports indicate that he has been included in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy squad set to start on January 23.

Additionally, Sanjay Bangar, former Indian batting coach, has expressed confidence in Kohli’s capability and fitness, even as he progresses in age. Bangar believes that Kohli possesses the potential to overcome his recent hurdles and continue making significant contributions to the team.

In summary, as discussions continue about Kohli’s trajectory, the emphasis remains on his need for adequate preparation and adaptation to enhance his Test cricket performance.