Overview
- Speaking on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast, Sanjay Manjrekar said Virat Kohli does not see eye to eye with head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, linking Kohli’s recent “environment” comment to the current leadership.
- Manjrekar argued that Kohli’s Test output over the past five years has slumped, citing an average of about 31 in that stretch and saying the decline cannot be brushed aside.
- His comments followed Kohli’s public frustration about having to “prove a point” each time he plays for India and his stance that he will play only if he feels valued in the team setup.
- Looking to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Manjrekar said Kohli should be fit to feature but must deliver in the semifinal or final to justify selection.
- No one from Kohli, Gambhir, Agarkar or the BCCI has confirmed any rift, and the discussion remains driven by punditry since Rahul Dravid’s exit and Gambhir’s appointment as head coach.