Vikas Kohli, brother of cricket superstar Virat Kohli, fired back at detractors questioning the Indian batter's Test retirement, targeting those who leverage Virat's name for attention.
The retort follows
pointed criticism from ex-cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who lamented Virat's early exit from red-ball cricket, arguing the former captain should have battled to regain peak form rather than retire prematurely.
Sanjay Manjrekar sparked fresh debate by criticizing Virat Kohli's 2025 Test retirement, lamenting that the former India captain opted to continue in ODIs-"the easiest format"-rather than fight to fix his batting flaws after averaging just 31 over five struggling years.
Manjrekar contrasted Kohli's choice with peers like Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, who keep thriving in Tests.
"He's walked away from Tests, and it's unfortunate that he didn't quite put his heart and soul into finding out the problems," Manjrekar said on Instagram, adding it disappoints him more that Kohli plays ODIs.
"This is a format which for a top-order batter. is the easiest format, he added, suggesting Kohli, given his supreme fitness, could have played first-class cricket abroad or in India for a comeback, even if dropped.
Vikas took to social media without naming Manjrekar directly, but fans linked it to his recent jabs.
"Seems like logon ki daal roti nahi chalti bina Virat Kohli ka naam liye hue (It seems like people cannot run their houses without taking Virat Kohli's name)," Vikas posted.
This marks another clash, as he earlier slammed Manjrekar over comments on Virat's IPL strike rate.
Virat, meanwhile, is in Vadodara for the upcoming ODI encounter against New Zealand. The star India batter has been excellent in the 50-over format for both country and his state team Delhi, whom he represented recently in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Indian team had its first training session on Thursday and Kohli looked sharp in the nets.


/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792510311290298.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792506133435217.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792502354712489.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792252782224935.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792253403684151.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792261084281263.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792263961374428.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792260098344304.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176792256879970773.webp)
