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In the midst of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Vikas Kohli, elder brother of cricketing stalwart Virat Kohli, has publicly criticised former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar for his remarks on Virat's performance.
Manjrekar had suggested that Virat is "past his prime" and omitted him from a list of top IPL 2025 batters, despite Virat's impressive statistics this season.
Taking to the social media platform Threads, Vikas Kohli highlighted Manjrekar's own career statistics, stating, "Mr. Sanjay Manjrekar. Career ODI strike rate: 64.31. Easy to talk about 200-plus strike rates."
Virat Kohli's Stellar IPL 2025 Performance
Contrary to Manjrekar's assertions, Virat Kohli has been a consistent performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. He has amassed 443 runs in 10 innings, boasting an average of 63.29 and a strike rate of 138.87.
Further, his contributions have been pivotal in RCB's ascent to the top of the points table with 14 points from 10 matches.
Addressing criticisms about his strike rate, Virat emphasised the importance of adapting to match conditions and building partnerships. He remarked, "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."
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Manjrekar's Comments Spark Controversy
Sanjay Manjrekar's critique stemmed from the April 7 match between Mumbai Indians and RCB, where he opined that the contest between Virat and Jasprit Bumrah was no longer a "best vs best" battle, suggesting Virat's peak years were behind him.
Further fueling the debate, Manjrekar shared a list on social media highlighting top-performing batters with high strike rates, notably excluding Virat.
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Who is Vikas Kohli?
Vikas Kohli is the elder brother of Virat Kohli and plays a significant role in managing Virat's business ventures, including the One8 brand.
Beyond his familial ties, Vikas is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for founding Fatlabs, a music production studio in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. His work spans various genres, and he has collaborated with numerous artists, contributing to both the Indian and international music scenes.
As RCB prepares for their upcoming match against Chennai Super Kings on May 3, the discourse surrounding Virat Kohli's form and strike rate continues. However, his on-field performances suggest that he remains a formidable force in the IPL.
