Virat Kohli’s underwhelming performance in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh has drawn attention, with former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar comparing his recent form to that of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli’s scores of 6 and 17 in the two innings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai left fans and critics questioning his current mindset when playing in Indian conditions.
Manjrekar pointed out a pattern that Kohli, like Tendulkar, seems more at ease when playing overseas, suggesting that the former Indian captain may not be enjoying batting on home soil as much. Kohli’s last Test series in South Africa, where he was India’s standout performer, reinforced this view, as he managed to top-score despite India’s overall batting struggles.
Missed Opportunity in Chennai
In the second innings, Kohli’s dismissal was particularly unlucky. He was given out LBW, but replays later revealed he had edged the ball. Despite Shubman Gill encouraging him to take the Decision Review System (DRS), Kohli chose not to, possibly due to uncertainty about the delivery. The missed review meant he walked back dejected, leaving India in a precarious position.
Manjrekar sympathized with Kohli’s situation, stating on social media that Kohli’s decision to forego the review was likely driven by a selfless desire to preserve the team’s remaining reviews for his teammates. “He didn’t think he had hit it. He walked away dejected, wanting to keep the reviews for the team,” Manjrekar posted on X.
Comparison with Tendulkar
While Kohli’s recent performances at home have been underwhelming, his record overseas continues to impress. Manjrekar drew parallels to Sachin Tendulkar, who enjoyed tremendous success outside India, amassing 8705 Test runs abroad—more than any other Indian batter.
“Like Tendulkar, I think Kohli feels more at home away from home,” Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo. “When he played in South Africa, he was by far India’s best batter. It’s fine—better to get runs away from home than at home.”
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India’s Struggles in the Test
Kohli’s early dismissal was part of a broader issue for India, as the team struggled to keep wickets intact before lunch on Day 2. With Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul putting India in command, the batting lineup—Kohli included—failed to capitalize on the advantage.
Kohli’s current form remains a talking point, as fans await whether he can rediscover his rhythm in the remainder of the series. Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comparison with Tendulkar highlights a potential shift in how Kohli approaches his game, with overseas conditions perhaps suiting him better at this stage of his career.
Rishabh Pant’s Return Steals the Spotlight
While Kohli’s struggles continued, Rishabh Pant’s comeback performance has been a bright spot for India. Pant, playing his first Test series after a 639-day absence due to a near-fatal accident, smashed a half-century in 88 balls during the second innings. His 12th Test fifty marked a triumphant return to red-ball cricket and provided India with much-needed stability amid a challenging match against Bangladesh.
Pant’s return has injected excitement into the team, as he looks to make an impact in the remainder of the series.
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