Manjrekar Reaffirms 'ODI Easiest Format' Stance on Kohli, Cites 'Last Place' | Quick Digest

Manjrekar Reaffirms 'ODI Easiest Format' Stance on Kohli, Cites 'Last Place' | Quick Digest
Sanjay Manjrekar reiterated his controversial stance on Virat Kohli's preference for ODI cricket, labeling it the 'easiest format' for top-order batters. He expressed disappointment over Kohli's Test retirement, suggesting ODIs are the 'last place' to judge a batting great. The comments have sparked renewed debate among cricket fans and experts.

Sanjay Manjrekar doubled down on his 'easiest format' comments regarding Virat Kohli.

Manjrekar stated ODIs are the 'last place' to assess a batting great's caliber.

Comments stem from Kohli's Test retirement in May 2025 and choice to focus on ODIs.

Credible Indian sports news outlets have widely reported and corroborated this story.

The news is specific to India, focusing on prominent Indian cricket personalities.

Headline accurately reflects Manjrekar's statements, without sensationalism or inaccuracy.

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has reiterated his controversial views regarding star batsman Virat Kohli's choice of playing formats, particularly following Kohli's retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. Manjrekar doubled down on his earlier assertion that One-Day Internationals (ODIs) are the 'easiest format' for top-order batters, stating, 'One day cricket is the last place I would look at to see my batting great of today'. These remarks, made around January 10, 2026, come in the context of Kohli's decision to step away from the longest format of the game while continuing to play limited-overs cricket. Manjrekar expressed disappointment that Kohli did not 'put his heart and soul' into overcoming his struggles in Tests during the five years preceding his retirement, especially when contemporaries like Joe Root and Steve Smith continue to excel in red-ball cricket. He suggested it would have been more understandable if Kohli had retired from all forms of the game rather than focusing on what he perceives as the less challenging format. The NDTV Sports article accurately reflects Manjrekar's statements, which have also been corroborated by other credible Indian news outlets such as The Indian Express and OneCricket. The headline itself is a direct and accurate representation of Manjrekar's recent comments, devoid of any evident sensationalism or factual inaccuracy. This story is significant for an Indian audience, given the immense popularity of Virat Kohli and cricket in the country, and Manjrekar's history of outspoken commentary. The ongoing debate around Kohli's career choices and his place among the greats continues to generate considerable interest.
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