Virat Kohli's Brother Takes a Dig at Sanjay Manjrekar Over IPL Strike-Rate Criticism

In the thick of IPL 2025 debates and heated commentary, Sanjay Manjrekar’s remarks about Virat Kohli’s strike rate have stirred strong reactions—not just from fans but now from the cricketer’s family too. Kohli’s brother, Vikas Kohli, took to social media to subtly yet sharply respond to the former cricketer-turned-commentator’s critique, sparking a new wave of discussion.

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Table of Contents

The Controversy

Sanjay Manjrekar, known for his blunt commentary style, recently commented on Virat Kohli’s batting approach during this IPL season, suggesting that the star batter’s strike rate has not been up to the mark in the context of modern-day T20 cricket. Manjrekar remarked during a live broadcast, “Kohli is consistent, no doubt, but in a tournament like the IPL, sometimes consistency isn’t enough if you’re not striking at 150-plus.”

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This comment came despite Kohli being among the top run-scorers of the season and playing crucial knocks for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Fans were quick to call out Manjrekar for ignoring the match situations and the value of anchoring innings when others faltered.

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Vikas Kohli Claps Back

Soon after the comment made headlines, Vikas Kohli, Virat’s elder brother, posted a cryptic message on Instagram Stories that many believe was aimed squarely at Manjrekar. The story read:

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“Sometimes the ones who talk the most forget what it means to walk the talk. Numbers may lie, but impact never does.”

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He followed it up with a picture of Virat raising his bat after scoring a match-winning fifty in the ongoing IPL, with the caption: “Silence speaks when legends perform.”

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While Vikas didn’t name Manjrekar directly, the timing and context left little doubt in the minds of fans, who rallied behind him, hailing his subtle yet firm stand.

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Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz

The moment Vikas’ post went up, social media exploded. Hashtags like #KingKohli, #VikasKohli and #Manjrekar trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans defending Kohli’s performances and slamming “armchair analysis” that doesn’t factor in match situations.

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One fan wrote, “Kohli scored 70 off 45 in a tough chase and people are still talking about strike rates? Come on!” Another added, “Glad his family is speaking up—these commentators sometimes forget the basics of cricket.”

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A Familiar Pattern?

This isn’t the first time Manjrekar has found himself in hot water over his commentary. From calling Ravindra Jadeja a “bits and pieces” player to being blunt about MS Dhoni’s finishing role, Manjrekar has a history of courting controversy with his outspoken opinions.

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Kohli’s On-Field Response

As for Virat Kohli, he’s letting the bat do the talking. With over 500 runs already this season and several match-winning knocks, Kohli remains a pillar for RCB. In a recent post-match interview, when asked about external criticism, Kohli said:

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“Criticism is part of the game. I’ve been around long enough to know that what matters is winning games for my team.”

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Conclusion

With family stepping in and fans rallying online, the Kohli-Manjrekar episode has taken a personal turn—once again highlighting how deeply Indian cricket fans, and cricketers themselves, feel about legacy and respect. As the IPL progresses, all eyes will be on Kohli—not just for the runs he scores, but for how he continues to answer his critics, with or without words.

Virat Kohli’s Brother Takes a Dig at Sanjay Manjrekar Over IPL Strike-Rate Criticism

The Controversy

Vikas Kohli Claps Back

Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz

A Familiar Pattern?

Kohli’s On-Field Response

Conclusion

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