Look At Your Own Stats: Virat Kohlis Brother Vikas Hits Back At Sanjay Manjrekar For Criticizing Virat's Strike Rate
Manjrekar Omits Kohli From Top 10 Batters List
Sanjay Manjrekar, who has frequently emphasized the importance of high strike rates in modern T20 cricket, recently released a list of his top 10 batters for IPL 2025. The list, however, excluded Virat Kohli, despite him being the second-highest run scorer this season with 443 runs in 10 matches.
Manjrekar's list favored batters like Nicholas Pooran, Travis Head, Phil Salt, Shreyas Iyer, and Priyansh Arya all of whom are known for their explosive hitting and strike rates exceeding 150, with some even surpassing the 200-mark.
Vikas Kohli's Fiery Response
Virat's brother, Vikas Kohli, didn't hold back and took to social media to respond to the criticism. In a pointed jab at Manjrekar's own career, Vikas wrote: 'Mr Sanjay Manjrekar; Career ODI strike rate: 64.31. Easy to talk about 200 plus strike rates.' The comment quickly went viral, with fans rallying behind Kohli and pointing to his consistent performances under pressure this season.
Virat Kohli's brother Vikas Kohli on threads pic.twitter.com/a7FXKsODR0 — (@RcbianOfficial) April 29, 2025
Virat's Numbers Speak for Themselves
Despite Manjrekar's claims, Virat Kohli has been in fine form in IPL 2025. With 443 runs at an average of over 49 and a strike rate of 138.87, Kohli has been instrumental in RCB's current success. In what has been a challenging season for batters due to slower pitches and variable bounce, his performances have been both valuable and composed.
RCB's Dominant Run Continues
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are flying high this season, currently sitting atop the IPL 2025 points table with 14 points from 10 matches. With just two more wins needed for a guaranteed playoff spot, RCB looks well on course for a strong finish.
Kohli and Pandya Rescue RCB Against Delhi Capitals
In their latest match, RCB pulled off a thrilling chase against Delhi Capitals. After being reduced to 26/3 early in the innings while chasing 163, the team needed a calm and steady approach — and they got exactly that from Kohli and Krunal Pandya.
Krunal smashed a match-winning 73 off 47 balls, while Kohli anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 47. The duo stitched a vital partnership that turned the game in RCB's favor.
Kohli's Message: 'It's Not Just About Boundaries'
After the match, Kohli addressed the media, defending his style of play. 'In tough conditions, composure matters more than aggression. T20 isn't just about hitting boundaries every second ball. It's about adapting and staying in the game,' he said.
With RCB peaking at the right time and Kohli silencing his critics through performance and poise, the Bangalore franchise appears to be on a mission for their maiden IPL title.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘You'll have to wait for his chance': Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup squad
Following India's announcement of the Asia Cup squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that Shreyas Iyer did not find a spot in the squad, as we can pick 15 at the moment, and Iyer has to wait for his chance. The squad was announced during a press conference attended by T20I skipper Suryakumar and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which was held after a selection meeting which also featured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia. India will kick off their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the high-voltage game against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both fixtures set to be played in Dubai. India will play their final group stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. "With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It's just that you can pick 15 and at the moment you'll have to wait for his chance," Agarkar told the media. Iyer ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL 2025 and had his best season, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches and innings at an average of 50.33, strike rate of 175.07 and six fifties. His best score was 97*. Despite a great IPL season, he missed out on finding a spot in the squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named in the reserve players for the Asia Cup. Agarkar, commenting on his exclusion from the 15-member squad, said it's unfortunate, and Abhishek Sharma, alongside his batting, can also bowl, which gives India an extra option. "With regards to Yashasvi, I mean, it's just unfortunate again. You know, there's Abhishek Sharma, what he's done over the last few months or a year or so that he's been with the team, plus that he can bowl a little bit, gives us an option if required by the captain. One of these guys was always going to miss out. It's just unfortunate that Yashasvi might have to wait for his chance," he added. Jaiswal was the back-up opener ahead of Gill for the T20 World Cup last year. He was the backup as India wanted to open with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Having made 723 runs in 23 T20Is with a century and five fifties at a strike rate of over 164 throughout his career, Jaiswal's 559-run IPL 2025 season (in 14 matches with six fifties at SR of almost 160) brought back the leftie into T20I conversations. 'Will come into the equation if we need four spinners' All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been named in the reserve players. On his contention for the upcoming T20 World Cup next year, Agarkar said Sundar will always be in the scheme, and this is not the final squad for the World Cup. "He'll always be in the scheme of things. This is not the final squad for the World Cup. At the moment, we have three spinners in the squad. Two mystery spinners in Varun, Kuldeep and Akshar. They've been around for a while. Whether we need four spinners, he might always come into the equation, if and when that happens. At the moment, we thought Rinku was the spare batsman we might need. Obviously, Sanju and Jitesh are the two keepers who bat at different positions," Agarkar said. Indian T20 skipper Surya Kumar Yadav spoke about his discussion with wicketkeeper/batter Jitesh Sharma post T20 World Cup last year and said he's been a completely different cricketer. Sharma has done really well, which earned him a spot in the Asia Cup squad. Jitesh Sharma has been chosen as a backup wicketkeeper-batter for Sanju Samson. "I think post the T20 World Cup, we spoke a lot on how to approach, how to go about it. Then we spoke about not think about the milestones ahead. Follow your journey. I think he's been a completely different cricketer post that. He's taken one game at a time. All challenges slow and steady, the way he did in the IPL and also in the domestic tournaments, which he played. The T20S and the one-day, I think he's done really well and he's earned his spot again," Yadav said. Jitesh shone for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) win for the first time this year, scoring 261 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.28 and a strike rate of 176.35. After the group stage, the tournament will proceed to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India finishes at the top of Group A, then all of their Super 4 matches will be held in Dubai. If India finishes second, then one of their Super 4 clashes will be held in Abu Dhabi and the remaining two in Dubai. The Super 4 stage will run from September 20 to 26. Dubai will host the final, which is scheduled for September 28. Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku SinghReserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal. (ANI)
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Team India's Asia Cup Squad: Ins, Outs From The Last T20I Series
There were several surprise selections in India's Asia Cup 2025 squad, which was announced on Tuesday in Mumbai. The squad was announced during a press conference attended by T20I skipper Suryakumar and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which was held after a meeting between BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and the selection committee. India Test captain Shubman Gill, who last played a T20Is in July last year, was included in the squad. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was also included, despite the recent talks over his workload issues. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Gill scored 650 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50.00, with a strike rate of 155.87, with six fifties and a best score of 93*, ending as the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament. Gill replaced Axar Patel, who served as Suryakumar's deputy in the format during his absence. It is worth noting that Gill was the vice-captain during his last appearance in the format. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal 's snub was the other major highlight from the 15-member squad. Jaiswal was the back-up opener ahead of Gill for the T20 World Cup last year. He was the backup as India wanted to open with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Having made 723 runs in 23 T20Is with a century and five fifties at a strike rate of over 164 throughout his career, Jaiswal's 559-run IPL 2025 season (in 14 matches with six fifties at SR of almost 160), brought back the leftie into T20I conversations. Iyer ended up as the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL 2025 and had his best season, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches and innings at an average of 50.33, strike rate of 175.07 and six fifties. His best score was 97*. He played a massive role in taking PBKS to their first IPL final since 2014, but the team fell short by six runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). There were several exclusions in the team from India's last T20I squad, a five-match series in February 2025.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
I don't mind starting from scratch again, says Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw CHENNAI: Prithvi Shaw was Shubman Gill's captain in the U-19 World Cup that India won in New Zealand in 2018. Seven years down the line, Gill is on the cusp of the Indian senior team's all-format captaincy while Shaw, once touted as a 'boy wonder' and the 'next big thing', is trying to make a comeback into the first-class fold after losing his way. Question marks over fitness, form and discipline took a huge toll on the opener as he got dropped from the Mumbai Ranji squad last year and went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. Now he is back in the domestic scene where it all began, this time turning out for Maharashtra instead of Mumbai. Shaw, who had scored a ton on his India Test debut, announced his comeback in familiar fashion with a well-paced century (111, 141b; 15x4, 1x6) against Chhattisgarh on Day Two of the Buchi Babu tournament here on Tuesday. The 25-year-old sounded optimistic about the upcoming domestic season and said he was 'confident' of making a comeback. 'I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life. I've been up there and been down there. I've also come back up there. So, everything is possible. I'm confident of myself, my work ethic. And my family has been the biggest support in my tough times. Hopefully, I'll get back there soon. I hope that this season goes really well for me as well as for my team,' said Shaw. During his knock, as he entered the nervous nineties, the right-hander danced down the track to launch a stunning six. Shaw said he was going back to basics and taking each day as it comes. 'I don't want to change anything (from the past few years). It wasn't anything like that. I feel I just went back to basics, doing the things I used to do in my Under-19 days, which got me into the Indian team. I'm just doing all that stuff back again. I'm trying to be myself and trying not to be on social media or any of those kinds of distractions. It's kind of peaceful when I'm not using it.' Shaw has started to get his belief back. 'I feel I have never lost. It's always about learning. Earlier, I was trying to think about the future and I don't think it worked for me. So now what I'm trying to do is go day by day. I try to be in the present; I'm that kind of person right now.' When asked if he received any messages or calls from the cricket fraternity during his 'tough times', pat came the reply with a smile: 'No one.' 'It's fine...I don't want anyone's sympathy. I've seen this before as well. I've had my family's support and my friends who were there with me when I was not really well mentally. Obviously, people are busy doing their work and they have their family as well. So it didn't bother me at all because I had my family and then I was practising. I was in that zone where I was doing everything alone and it was really good for me. It was working for me.' Having steered Maharashtra to 217, Shaw could well have stayed back in the Guru Nanak pavilion, but after a quick massage, he chose to field for the last five overs. He said he has also been focusing on his fitness in the build-up to the season. 'These two-three months, I had my trainer come personally and train me, and I've got a dietician as well who plans all my meals. All this over the last three-four months has really changed me physically and mentally. And maybe it can be seen on the field,' said Shaw, who was running briskly between the wickets earlier in the day. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
