Manjrekar rips into post-Kohli panic as Rahul, Pant slam second innings tons: 'What after Virat is irrational'
Looking at how a young Indian lineup has been performing in the first Test, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a brutal take on 'what after Virat Kohli' fear as he lauded Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for their tons against England.
KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant slammed centuries in the second innings to propel India's position in the Headingley Test. The left-handed Pant is just the second wicketkeeper in the history of the game to score centuries in both innings of a Test.
Ever since Kohli retired from the longest format, having played 123 Tests, fans have been panicking about the health of Test cricket. Virat Kohli has long supported Tests, often saying that the longest format is the 'toughest.'
Even after RCB's maiden IPL triumph, Virat Kohli famously said that this victory ranks 'five levels' below Test cricket.
Also Read: IND vs ENG Live Score: KL Rahul, Karun Nair gear up to push India into winning position
However, Manjrekar said that cricket will always remain the top sport in the country as several youngsters are waiting to represent the country.
'Cricket is a by far the no 1 sport in India. There is tremendous incentive for young kids to take up cricket. Hence 'What after Fab 4, or what after Virat' is an irrational fear,' Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). India on top in the Headingley Test
England got off to the perfect start possible on Day 4 of the Headingley Test as Brydon Carse dismissed Shubman Gill in the first over. However, from then on, Pant and Rahul kept the England attack at bay.
Pant and Rahul both slammed centuries in the second innings, and the duo put on 195 runs for the fourth wicket. KL Rahul smashed his first century in 18 months in Test cricket. He had last scored a ton against South Africa in the Centurion Test in 2023.
Earlier, India had gained a lead of six runs in the first innings after Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul helped India bundle out England for 465.
In India's first innings with the bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant scored centuries, and India posted 471 runs on the board.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
7 minutes ago
- India.com
Just One Player! India Would Have Not Boycotted Pakistan Game In WCL 2025 If Not For This Player
India Champions forfeited both their group stage and semi-final matches against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. A member of the Indian team, speaking anonymously to NDTV, revealed one of the main reasons behind the boycott to NDTV. While the world thought that it was a collective decision to boycott Pakitsna due to brutal Pahalgam terror attacks on innocent civillians but the report reveals that it was because of just one player and not the whole team or nation. The player stated, "It was a decision to not play against Shahid Afridi, given the statements he had made." The India Champions team withdrew from their opening match against Pakistan Champions following the Pahalgam terror attack. They later staged a walkover in the semi-final, allowing Pakistan Champions direct entry to the final. Pakistan eventually faced South Africa Champions in the final but were defeated. The anonymous Indian legend, closely involved in the boycott decision, explained that whether the team would have reconsidered it depended on Shahid Afridi's presence. "It is an afterthought. We knew of our fixture against Pakistan but was not sure of the composition of the team," the legend told NDTV. Afridi had once commented, "We are here to play cricket, and I've always said that cricket should be kept away from politics it should move forward. A player should be a good ambassador, not a source of embarrassment for their country." ALSO READ - Meet CSK's Starboy Dewald Brevis' Girlfriend Linda Maree: From Friendship To Romance, Breakup Rumours & More India Champions Decided To Boycott India Champions included players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan, all of whom refused to play against Pakistan Champions. Despite India pulling out of their group stage clash, both teams were awarded a point each. That point proved crucial, as India Champions secured a place in the semi-finals by staging a remarkable run chase against West Indies Champions in their final group game. But later India were to face Pakistan in the semi-final stage and staying true to their stance on the issue in the league stage, India decided to pull out of the semi-final fixture and thus got knocked out without playing. Pakistan Champions played the final against South Africa champions but eventually lost to South Africa starrting AB De Villers blazing century. In response to India's boycott, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a ban on the country's participation in the WCL. The PCB criticized the WCL's handling of the India-Pakistan matches, accusing it of "hypocrisy and bias. "The decision was taken after a detailed discussion in the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. The high-level authorities felt Indian players refusing to play Pakistan in the WCL's second edition twice is hurtful to the name of the country. All private organisations will face legal action in case they use Pakistan's name. PCB has the sole right to allow its use for cricket events if it finds the authenticity of the League and the organisation as reputable," PCB said in a statement.
NDTV
7 minutes ago
- NDTV
India's Likely Squad For Asia Cup 2025: Huge Shubman Gill Surprise, This Top Star Out
As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to name the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday, a number of big surprises could be in store. With Suryakumar Yadav set to lead the team, several reports suggest that the Ajit Agarkar -led selection committee is gearing up to snub some of the biggest stars in the game. Despite India head coach Gautam Gambhir once suggesting that the T20I team should be selected purely on the basis of Indian Premier League (IPL) performance, it sems like the selectors are set to overlook certain IPL performers. Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh It doesn't look like the selectors will alter the batting combination much, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav set to be named in the team, with Shubman Gill being the only addition to the roster, when compared to the T20I series against England. There are some doubts over Rinku Singh's inclusion in the team for the Asia Cup, but it looks like he will be included. If Gill is included, there will be no place for Yashasvi Jaiswal in the team. Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma While there's no doubt over Sanju Samson's place in the team, the backup wicket-keeper's place is being strongly fought for. One of Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel will join Sanju Samon in the Asia Cup squad, while it is all but confirmed that Rishabh Pant isn't a part of the plans. If form is considered, Jitesh might just edge Jurel in the squad. All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube / Nitish Kumar Reddy When it comes to all-rounders, the likes of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar seem to be sure-shot selections, but there's a place for one more pace-bowling all-rounder, which is open. The likes of Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the top two contenders for the role. In all likelihood, Dube might be preferred over Reddy, purely because of form. The biggest question mark when it comes to bowling line-up selection is over Jasprit Bumrah, who didn't even play 5 Tests against England. If Bumrah plays the Asia Cup, there will be a question mark over his selection for the West Indies Tests too. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy are certain picks in the bowling unit. One of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishan is set to be picked, though the choice will be a tough one, especially if Jasprit Bumrah is playing.
News18
15 minutes ago
- News18
Former India Teammate Names R Ashwin As Future Coach After Gambhir Steps Down
Cheteshwar Pujara endorsed Ravichandran Ashwin as a future India coach and feels Virat Kohli is likely to break nearly every record in world cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara, a key figure in India's Test batting lineup, recently discussed the future of Indian cricket and endorsed Ravichandran Ashwin as the ideal candidate for India's coaching role in the years to come. Ashwin, celebrated for his cricketing acumen and strategic prowess both as a batsman and bowler, has recently retired from international cricket. His last appearance was during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, playing in the second Test before officially retiring after the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Ashwin concluded his career as India's second-most successful bowler across formats, with a remarkable tally of 765 wickets. In Test cricket, he retired with 537 wickets, making him India's second-highest wicket-taker in the format, only behind Anil Kumble, who tops the list with 619 wickets. His final Test match was in Adelaide, where he further solidified his legacy with his last international wicket. During a candid Q&A session with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara was asked who he believed could become India's coach in the future. He promptly named Ravichandran Ashwin. This choice can be for Ashwin's deep understanding of cricket and his ability to grasp the intricate details of the game, positioning him as a strong candidate for the coaching role. Ashwin's final competitive appearance was in the Indian Premier League 2025, representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Unfortunately, it was a forgettable season for both Ashwin and CSK. Ashwin took only seven wickets in nine matches, conceding 283 runs, while CSK had one of their worst seasons, finishing last with just four wins from 14 games, exacerbated by the injury of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Additionally, Pujara identified Virat Kohli as the batsman likely to break nearly every record in world cricket. Kohli, who recently retired from Test cricket following a disappointing series in Australia during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (scoring only 190 runs in five Tests), ended his international career on a high. His last appearance was in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India triumphed over New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium to claim the prestigious trophy. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
