IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli forced to play aggressive cricket? Sanjay Manjrekar makes a surprising revelation

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar commented on star batter Virat Kohli's dismissal during the Men in Blue's recent match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024. Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Virat Kohli shouldn't have played attacking cricket right from the start in the last match of the ongoing ICC tournament.

Team India kicked off their World Cup campaign with an eight-wicket victory against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5. The Rohit Sharma-led team chased down a below-par 97-run target with 45 balls to spare at the newly constructed stadium in New York.

Virat Kohli opened the batting with Rohit Sharma in India's World Cup opener. However, the right-handed batter managed to score just one run off five balls before being dismissed by Ireland pacer Mark Adair. Kohli attempted to play an attacking shot, and Benjamin White completed a simple catch at third man.

Didn't Need To In A Run Chase - Sanjay Manjrekar

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that Virat Kohli might have felt compelled to play aggressively due to expectations. Manjrekar emphasized that such an approach wasn't necessary in the context of the last match's run chase.

"Virat Kohli, I think compelled to play in a certain fashion because of what's being said about him. Didn't need to in a run chase that wasn't huge," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

India comfortably chased down the target of 97 runs, despite Virat Kohli's early dismissal. Rohit Sharma scored 52 runs off 37 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, before being retired hurt. Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 36 runs off 26 deliveries in his comeback game for the Indian cricket team.

Rohit Sharma Is Not Thinking About Milestones - Sanjay Manjrekar

The cricketer-turned-commentator praised Rohit Sharma for his focus on providing a strong start for the team rather than chasing personal milestones. Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Rohit's willingness to take risks for the team's benefit.

"What the Indian fans have loved about Rohit Sharma the captain, the player, and after the 50-over World Cup, despite India losing the final, I think his popularity and the love the fans have for Rohit Sharma has grown because of the purity of his approach. When he bats, he is not really thinking about milestones. He'll keep taking risks because he knows a brisk start is great for his team," Manjrekar added.

Sends A Strong Message To The Other Teams - Sanjay Manjrekar

The 58-year-old said India's performance in the opening match against Ireland sent a strong message to other teams in the World Cup. Manjrekar also commended Rishabh Pant for his impressive batting performance in the recent game.

"A performance that sends a strong message to the other teams. We were talking about Ireland being a dangerous side, but they have just made a mockery of that game. They way they bowled and in the end, chasing as well. Rishabh Pant was fantastic, Rohit Sharma as well," Manjrekar concluded.

The Rohit Sharma-led team is at the top of the Group A table with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of 3.065. The Men in Blue will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their next match at the same venue on Sunday, June 9. A victory in the upcoming match will seal India's berth in the Super 8 stages of the tournament.

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