![Virat Kohli and Sanjay Manjrekar [Source: @Was_divote/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768024239612_ViratKohliandSanjayManjrekar.jpg?type=hq)
Virat Kohli and Sanjay Manjrekar [Source: @Was_divote/X]
Former cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has doubled down on his stance for his controversial opinion on Virat Kohli and the thought that One-Day Internationals are the least challenging format for top-order batters.
Manjrekar’s comments follow earlier criticism of Virat Kohli, whom he suggested opted to continue in ODIs after "giving up" on the rigours of Test cricket.
Manjrekar turns up heat on Virat Kohli with sharp ODI observation
Expanding on his stance, Manjrekar pointed to historical team selections as evidence. He was stubborn on the fact that Virat Kohli behaved like those middle-order batters who were not very keen to play Test cricket.
“A lot of people have asked me why I keep saying ODI cricket is easy for top-order batters. Go back a few years in Indian cricket and look at the guys who were opening for India for a long time in 50-over cricket," Manjrekar said on Instagram.
"Those batters were middle-order batters in Test cricket. They were not very keen to open in Test cricket or bat in the top three. They were very happy to play at No. 4, 5, 6,” he added.
Manjrekar then explained the perceived advantage for openers in the 50-over game.
“But come one day cricket, they were almost desperate to bat in the top three and open. Therein lies the answer as to why I believe it's easy for top order batters, because everybody is queuing up to bat in the top three," Sanjay Manjrekar added.
"The first advantage you get when you are opening in 50-overs cricket or batting at No. 3, there's no four slips and a gully. And you know when a bowler is running in, he's not really coming in to get you out. He's just trying to make sure you don't get 10-15 runs an over,” Manjrekar added.
Manjrekar praises MS Dhoni, Yuvraj over Kohli
Conversely, Manjrekar reserved praise for middle-order stalwarts like MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh who batted lower down the order but still managed to get solid scores.
“So if you are a good enough player, you just play out the first 10 to 15 overs. Then the field spreads out, and slowly, if you are a good rotator of strike, you get to a 100. The tough place to bat in one-day cricket is where Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, or MS Dhoni would bat, which is 4, 5, 6. Those were the tough positions,” said Manjrekar.
"Manjrekar concluded by questioning where to find true batting greatness. “So if you are looking for a batting great, you won't find them in one-day cricket, and especially at number one, two, and three," he added.
"One day cricket is the last place I would look at to see my batting great of today because there's just far too much going for people who bat in the top three in one day cricket,” Manjrekar added.
While the debate will be a sharp arrow to Virat Kohli, the India veteran is not stopping. After his smashing Vijay Hazare Trophy performance, he is all geared up for the upcoming New Zealand ODIs, where he will be ready with his fireworks at No. 3 on January 11.
