The high-octane action of IPL 2025 has spilled off the field, with a fiery exchange erupting between Vikas Kohli, the elder brother of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli, and former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.
Vikas Kohli takes a jibe a Sanjay Manjrekar
Vikas publicly criticized Manjrekar for his recent remarks questioning Virat’s strike rate and overall form in the ongoing season. The spat has swiftly become a major talking point, fuelling a broader debate among cricket enthusiasts and experts regarding the evolving dynamics of T20 batting and the enduring relevance of experience in the contemporary game.
The controversy ignited following Sanjay Manjrekar’s analytical commentary, where he raised concerns about Virat Kohli’s impact in IPL 2025. Manjrekar specifically drew attention to Kohli’s strike rate, suggesting that the anticipated showdown between Kohli and Mumbai Indians’ premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah was no longer the compelling “best vs best” contest it once was, implying a decline in Kohli’s prowess. Further adding fuel to the fire, Manjrekar conspicuously omitted Kohli from his list of the top 10 batsmen of the season, a surprising exclusion considering the RCB opener currently sits among the tournament’s leading run-scorers.
Manjrekar’s curated list heavily favoured batsmen known for their explosive hitting prowess and elevated strike rates, featuring names like Nicholas Pooran, Travis Head and Phil Salt. Many of these players boast strike rates exceeding 150, with some even breaching the 200 mark. This selection was widely interpreted as a direct critique of Virat’s batting approach, which has seen him accumulate a significant portion of his runs through singles and doubles, resulting in a strike rate of 138.87 amidst often challenging batting conditions.
Vikas Kohli did not remain silent in the face of this criticism. Utilizing the social media platform Threads, he launched a sharp and direct riposte aimed at Manjrekar. His post read:
“Mr Sanjay Manjrekar; Career ODI strike rate: 64.31. Easy to talk about 200 plus strike rates.”
This pointed response rapidly gained traction across social media platforms, resonating with a large segment of fans who rallied in support of the Kohli family. Many echoed Vikas’s sentiment, questioning Manjrekar’s authority to critique modern T20 batting standards given his own relatively modest strike rate during his international career. Vikas’s counter-argument effectively highlighted the disparity between analyzing high strike rates from the commentary box and the practical challenges of consistently achieving them on the field, particularly under pressure.
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Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2025
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding his strike rate, Virat’s performance in IPL 2025 has been nothing short of impressive. He currently holds the position of the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, having amassed a formidable 443 runs in just 10 innings. His consistency is further underscored by an impressive average of 63.29 and a solid strike rate of 138.87. These consistent contributions have been instrumental in propelling RCB to the summit of the IPL 2025 points table, with the team now on the cusp of securing a coveted playoff berth with just one more victory.
Virat himself has addressed the swirling strike-rate debate, emphasizing the strategic importance of building solid partnerships and adapting one’s game to the specific nuances of different match situations. “I try and make sure my singles and doubles don’t stop so that the game doesn’t get stagnant. People are forgetting the importance of partnerships,” Virat said following a recent triumphant outing for RCB.
