Kohli was dismissed for 22 off 38 balls in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh.
Kohli enters into the contest on the back of poor form, having scored just one fifty in his last 6 ODI innings. He was dismissed by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for 22 off 38 balls during India’s campaign opener against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
In a bid to change his fortunes, the right-hander came to the practice session on Saturday (February 22) 90 minutes early and spent a considerable time facing spinners in the nets.
"When you (Kohli) are slightly out of form and runs, you think of practising too much and thinking too much... sometimes (you) just over do it. Just keep hitting the balls in the nets. It's more of mind thing (and) not (just) about (the) batting technique," said Manjrekar in a virtual interaction on JioHotstar.
"He is going through a difficult time, and has (had) some technical issues... in the last match he lacked confidence but he is trying his best. He just needs to settle his mind a little bit without trying too hard, and go out there with a relaxed mind," he added.
On a different note, Manjrekar said it was a "sorry situation" with Rishabh Pant as KL Rahul continues to feature in the Indian XI as a wicketkeeper-batter.
"India were pretty good (against Bangladesh), most boxes got ticked. I don't see drastic changes if the pitch is doesn't demand. Kuldeep (Yadav) needs a little more game time. Rahul got some runs, so I don't think any new wicketkeeper-batter is going to replace him," he said.
"Till Rahul is contributing, Pant will stay out but Pant is rare talent for India. It's a sorry situation for him."
Manjrekar tipped India as firm favorites to win the match against Pakistan. "India is looking really good. Pakistan's bowling didn't make an impression on me, the spinners didn't improve, Shaheen (Shah Afridi) needs to lift his game. They need a little bit of tweaking here and there. Pakistan has to raise their game by leaps and by bounds to win," he opined.
Manjrekar was also effusive in praise of India opener Shubman Gill, who slammed an unbeaten 101 off 129 balls to script India's six-wicket win over Bangladesh. "The form he is in, I (have) already predicted that he will become player of the tournament," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)