Sanjay Manjrekar dismantles Virat Kohli's absence from team India

Former Indian opener Sanjay Manjrekar took a second to praise the two centurions from the second innings of the Leeds test. In an attempt to praise them, the former Indian player has a tough take on the post-Virat Kohli troubles in test cricket.

Indian cricket fans have been showing major concern ever since the retirement of Indian legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Though this seemed a disgrace to the immense talent team India XI possesses, the retirement of the two veterans just before the overseas series seemed a big blow to the Indian Test side.

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Sanjay Manjrekar sways off the post-Virat Kohli era concerns

The new Indian test side led by Shubman Gill is a dominating side even in the absence of its three most senior pros, including former skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Indian spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin.

India remains the favorite to walk away with the desired result in the first test, with 350 runs needed on the final day of play for England to win.

This has been the result of stunning performances from five centurions, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant in the first innings and KL Rahul alongside Pant again in the second innings for India.

Looking at how the players have been successful in the post-Virat Kohli era, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has made a brutal attack on 'what after Virat Kohli era' claims.

Manjrekar showed faith in India's powerhouse of talent, as the country has several youngsters who would help keep cricket as the top sport in the country.

“Cricket is a by far the no 1 sport in India. There is tremendous incentive for young kids to take up cricket. Hence ‘What after Fab 4, or what after Virat’ is an irrational fear,” claimed Sanjay Manjrekar, thus swaying off post-Virat Kohli era concerns for Indian cricket team fans through a post on his X handle.

Cricket is a by far the no 1 sport in India. There is tremendous incentive for young kids to take up cricket. Hence ‘What after fab 4, or what after Virat’ is an irrational fear. #jaiswal #Gill #KLRahul #Pant 👏👏👏

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 23, 2025

A brief highlight of India's batting dominance

The much-anticipated India vs England test series has had its best start with some terrific cricket action around Leeds by both sides.

India started off the test match with a dominant display from their batters, as India looked in full flow to score 471 runs at the end of their first innings. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was among the first players to show early domination of the English bowlers.

Though youngsters Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, who is making a return to international cricket, have failed to be promising with the bat, other batters have produced a genuine display of utmost class and perfection.

Jaiswal, the centurion from the first innings, was followed by a huge 200+ run partnership between skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant. Both the batters in a new position scored hundreds to take India past a 400-run total.

India vs England First Test: Which team has the upper hand?

The English innings was also marked by some remarkable batting from Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, though Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with another five-wicket haul.

The second innings marked another set of stunning hundreds from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who followed with another hundred in the second innings of play. Though the Indian lower order underperformed, India were bowled out for 364, thus posing a target of 371 runs in the final innings of play.

The test match at Headingley is now wide open, with either India or England in a win-lose situation, as the match can end in favor of any team that can dominate on the final day of play.

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