'Kohli Doesn't Belong': Sanjay Manjrekar's 2012 Tweet Goes Viral After He Slams Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar took a stern stance on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s on-field altercation with Sri Lankan A players, which left the cricket fraternity divided. The former Indian batter, usually found behind the microphone, conveyed his message via an X (formerly Twitter) post, slamming the 15-year-old cricketing sensation for charging towards Sri Lankan cricketers and shoving Vishen Halambage in the process during the conclusion of the nail-biting thriller between the two nations in the tri-nation series.

Manjrekar maintained that physical contact on the cricket field was unacceptable regardless of the provocation directed at Sooryavanshi, adding that had he been in a position of authority, he would have dropped the young prodigy

from the India A vs Afghanistan A encounter as a disciplinary lesson.

The commentator had only weighed in on the situation, but his post backfired instantly. Several users dug up Manjrekar’s 2012 tweet in which he had questioned Virat Kohli’s future as a Test cricketer. The Internet held it up as Exhibit A for why his opinions deserved a generous pinch of salt.

The Ugly Incident

The thriller between Sri Lanka A and India A entered the Super Over after both teams remained tied at 265. With tempers rising, lights fading, and heightened desperation to get a result, Sri Lanka gave India a daunting task of 19 runs to achieve in the one-over eliminator, which India failed to chase. As Suryansh Shedge and Sooryavanshi began departing, the latter suddenly turned and charged towards Sri Lankan players before shoving Halambage. The other players and officials quickly intervened, ensuring the situation did not escalate any further.

Vaibhav was leaving silently but the sri lankan players provoked him which led to the fight in below post https://t.co/WN2PFQEdpH pic.twitter.com/uqnLV1wVWs

— Abhi (@AbhiMSD_07) June 15, 2026

It was later reported that Halambage had been sledging Sooryavanshi throughout the series. Cricbuzz further added that Halambage had allegedly chirped to the cricketer to “go home” during the fourth match of the series that birthed the entire controversy.

Also Read: Why Did Vishen Halambage Delete Instagram After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shoved Him?

“I Would Have Left Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Out”

In a strongly worded tweet, Manjrekar slammed the IPL 2026 hero, stating that the cricketer wouldn’t have made it to the playing XI if he were the manager or coach of the team, implying that there needed to be consequences for physical confrontations.

“If I was India A coach or manager I would have left Vaibhav Suryavanshi out for this game v AFG. Only to let him know that’s it’s not OK to get physical on the field. Whatever the provocations (sic),” Manjrekar wrote.

If I was India A coach or manager I would have left Vaibhav Suryavanshi out for this game v AFG. Only to let him know that’s it’s not OK to get physical on the field. Whatever the provocations.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 17, 2026

Social Media Reacts Strongly

It’s safe to say that cricket fans and trolls reacted sharply to Manjrekar’s call to discipline Sooryavanshi.

“There’s a reason you are neither a coach nor manager for the indian team and i am glad your career was short, keeping negativity out of dressing room (sic),” wrote one in response to Manjrekar.

“It’s a good thing, Sanjay-bhai, that you are only the ‘manager’ of the commentary box; otherwise, if the call were yours, half the Indian team would be sitting at home today watching your analysis—all because of disciplinary issues! (sic).”

Also Read: Nasser Hussain Sorry For ‘Weak’ Pakistan Women Team Isn’t India’s Problem: Outrage Explained

“Man you have not touched a bat in modern civilisation. You are free to give your opinion like am doing just wanted you to know that no one cares. Present teams are winning cups unlike you guys so hopefully they know better how to handle how about just enjoy watching,” a third lamented.

Why Are People So Upset?

Irked cricket fans pulled up Manjrekar’s controversial tweet from 2012, in which the commentator had expressed that he had no faith in Virat Kohli’s future as a Test cricketer, urging the selection committee to drop him after giving him one chance.

“I would still drop VVS & get rohit in for next test.Makes long term sense. give virat 1 more test..just to be sure he does not belong here (sic),” Manjrekar had said in his tweet.

Kohli concluded his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches, making him the fourth leading run scorer of the country. India won 40 out of 68 Test matches under Kohli’s leadership at a win percentage of 58.82%, making him the most successful Test captain.

Well-wishers of Sooryavanshi wondered if sitting him out was the right way to discipline the teen. However, opinions remained largely split in the cricket community, with a section hoping that Sooryavanshi would take this episode as a lesson to grow. Sledge must only be countered with sledge, not a shove, they added.