Virat Kohli forces Sanjay Manjrekar to change his verdict in a span of 9 balls as he departs for another duck

Former India National Cricket Team player Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on Virat Kohli for batting at No. 3 during the first Test match against New Zealand. Sanjay Manjrekar also gave examples of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who were hesitant to bat in the top order in Test cricket.

The Rohit Sharma-led team had to alter their batting lineup for the series opener against New Zealand. Shubman Gill, who has been batting at No. 3 for India in Tests, was ruled out of the match due to a stiff neck. Sarfaraz Khan replaced Gill in the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Virat Kohli came to bat at No. 3 after the fall of Rohit Sharma, who scored just two runs, in India's first innings on Thursday, October 17. Rohit opted to bat after winning the toss on day two of the match. Notably, the first day was called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Bengaluru.

Hats Off To Virat Kohli - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar was impressed with Virat Kohli's decision to bat at No. 3. Manjrekar described Virat as a "true champion" for this selfless act. He stated that Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly opened in white-ball cricket but were hesitant to move up the order in Tests.

“Hats off to Virat Kohli! Coming out to bat at no 3 bcoz the team needed it. Ganguly, Tendulkar were very keen to open in white ball cricket, but never wanted to go up the order in Tests. That’s a true champion right there for you! Virat. 👏👏👏,” Sanjay Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Hats off to Virat Kohli!
Coming out to bat at no 3 bcoz the team needed it.
Ganguly, Tendulkar were very keen to open in white ball cricket, but never wanted to go up the order in Tests.
That’s a true champion right there for you! Virat. 👏👏👏#INDvNZ

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 17, 2024

Virat Has Compounded His Problems - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Virat Kohli's technique after his dismissal. Manjrekar pointed out that Kohli has a tendency to play on the front foot for every delivery, which led to his downfall. The former cricketer said that Kohli could have handled the ball better by staying on the back foot.

“Have said this before will say it again. Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today’s dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot,” Manjrekar tweeted.

Have said this before will say it again. Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today’s dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot. #INDvNZ

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 17, 2024

Virat Kohli's Last Duck In Tests Came Against New Zealand

Virat Kohli's return to the No. 3 spot after eight years ended in disappointment. The right-handed batter was dismissed for a 9-ball duck by New Zealand fast bowler William O'Rourke. All-rounder Glenn Phillips took a stunning catch at the gully as the visiting team took a prized wicket in India's first innings.

Virat was last dismissed for a duck in Test cricket in 2021 when he was trapped LBW by Ajaz Patel. Sarfaraz Khan also recorded a duck after three balls. Sarfaraz tried to attack the New Zealand bowlers but failed to do so. Team India found themselves in a challenging position at 34 for 6 after the first session.

Also read: Watch: Rishabh Pant plays a reverse lap shot when India's score reads 12/3 vs New Zealand in Bengaluru