Sanjay Manjrekar targets Virat Kohli after Brisbane disaster, blames India coach for batting failures

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar criticized the batting coach of the national cricket team amid Virat Kohli's struggles in the third Test match. Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the role of the batting coach when recurring technical issues with certain Indian players continue to exist.

The Indian bowlers dismissed Australia for 445 runs in the first innings at the Gabba in Brisbane on Monday, December 16. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli all fell to poor shots, leaving India in a precarious position and at risk of conceding a massive lead to the home team.

Major Technical Issues Have Remained Unresolved for So Long - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted the ongoing technical issues with certain players, particularly Virat Kohli, who again fell to a wide delivery outside the off stump. Manjrekar questioned why major technical issues have remained unresolved for so long.

"I guess the time has come to scrutinise the role of a batting coach in the Indian team. Why major technical issues have remained unresolved for so long with certain Indian batters," Sanjay Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

I guess the time has come to scrutinise the role of a batting coach in the Indian team. Why major technical issues have remained unresolved for so long with certain Indian batters. @BCCI

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 16, 2024

There Is Currently No Batting Coach for the Indian Senior Men's Team

It's worth noting that there is currently no batting coach for the Indian senior men's team. Gautam Gambhir is the head coach, with Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistants.

Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted a flick off his pads but was caught by Mitchell Marsh. Shubman Gill went for a drive off Mitchell Starc, and Marsh took a brilliant catch at gully. Virat Kohli then chased a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey taking an easy catch behind the stumps.

Seems Like Everyone Is on Their Own Right Now - Deep Dasgupta

Speaking to the broadcasters, Deep Dasgupta said that the Indian players seemed to be playing individually rather than as a team. He also said the middle-order batters, like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Rohit Sharma, who were repeatedly forced to bat within the first 10 overs in difficult conditions.

"Let's jog your mind to the first half an hour of the day. How falt were India on the field. I was a bit concerned back then and now it is kind of manifesting itself now. That attitude and that mindset has seeped into India's batting innings. It's not an individual one but a team sport. It seems like everyone is on their own right now," Dasgupta said.

"At times, I also feel bad for the middle-order batters. Whether it is Virat, Rishabh Pant or Rohit Sharma. You can't ask them to come and bat in that first 10 overs almost every innings in these testing conditions. There's a reason why they're middle-order batters. There are openers, there is a top 3. Their job in these conditions is to control your natural instincts. You will get chances to play those shots," he added.

Also read: Watch: Finn Allen smashes his first ball for six in BBL before Adam Milne castles him on next delivery