Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reacted to Virat Kohli’s omission from India’s T20I squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home, starting on January 3, 2023.
Manjrekar admitted that Kohli is very much in Team India’s scheme of things in T20I cricket, but the dashing right-hander would still be under pressure from players who are getting chances in his place.
Sanjay Manjrekar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “Virat Kohli had a pretty good T20 World Cup. I would have liked him to play as much international cricket as possible, just to be amongst the runs, hitting the ball virtually every week and be prepared for the match situation is a good thing. The thing is Virat Kohli will now constantly face pressure from others who are getting opportunities in his place.”
He continued, “We have seen what the young players have done like Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson when they've got the opportunity. So, yes, Virat Kohli is still very much in the plans after the World Cup he had and I'm sure he wants to keep being a member in the T20 side.”
He further opined that the Indian team might want Kohli to focus on ODI cricket, given the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup in 2023, and that’s why he was not picked for the T20I series against Sri Lanka.
He explained, “Since this is 2023, the World Cup year, I guess India are looking to give him more one-day time and one-day cricket is a great format to get back into form.”
Manjrekar also believed that the national selectors may want Kohli to play as much as he can in Tests and ODIs to get back into his usual best mode.
He concluded, “That is where Virat Kohli has shown he is an all-time great in the way he has played over the years, the consistency, and the match-winning ability. Test and one-day cricket have been his two greatest formats. So, somewhere, the selectors are looking at Kohli and saying, 'Let's get you to play more of 50-overs cricket.'”
