Virat Kohli is not enjoying batting in India like Sachin Tendulkar: Sanjay Manjrekar

Batting icon Virat Kohli walked out to the crease with that stench of aura to steer India's second innings after two quick setbacks on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, September 20.

Even the dashing right-hander started well with his every stroke highlighting his unmistakable presence on the crease as he began to weave his strokes and counter Bangladesh’s bowling attack in Chennai.

The opposition bowlers knew that once Kohli would get set, it would never be an easy task to unsettle him, but yet again the game proved its unpredictability in a surprising way.

Sanjay Manjrekar reflects on Virat Kohli’s leadership in crucial DRS blunder

As the match progressed, a sharp delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz spun sharply into Virat Kohli, catching him off guard. The ball seemed almost too perfect for the right-hander as the sound of an appeal came from the Bangladesh fielders across the stadium in Chennai on Day 2.

The umpire raised his finger, and the tension only grew. Virat Kohli stood there for a few seconds, contemplating the decision before opting not to take a review, trusting his instincts.

What transpired next only aggravated the frustration of the Indian camp, as the replays revealed that the ball actually touched the edge of Kohli's bat before it made contact with his pad.

This small, but crucial detail left many wondering why the former India captain hadn’t opted for the Decision Review System (DRS). This decision cost him and Team India dearly, as he departed for just 17 runs off 37 balls, leaving the hosts in a precarious situation against Bangladesh.

Felt bad for Virat Kohli today: Sanjay Manjrekar

Commenting on this dramatic turn, the former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pondered what might have been going through Kohli's mind. He suggested that Kohli’s reluctance to take DRS wasn’t merely a lapse in his judgment, but it could be an act of leadership, choosing to save a review for his team to use in case of more critical moments in the match.

Unfortunately, Virat Kohli’s selfless call backfired as the Indian cricket team found itself three wickets down and on the back foot. In fact, after the replays, the batting maestro would have certainly felt a lot dejected for missing the chance for India to put the game back on track.

Sanjay Manjrekar posted on X: “Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn’t think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if the ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway, he walked away dejected, wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team.”

Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn’t think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway he walked away dejected wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team. 🙌#IndVsBan

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 20, 2024

He's not enjoying batting in India as much: Sanjay Manjrekar

Meanwhile, the commentator also hinted that Virat Kohli might not be finding the same joy in batting on home soil as he does in overseas conditions, just like the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Since his century against Bangladesh in the Kolkata Test in 2019, Virat Kohli has managed just one more hundred in the last 12 Tests he played in India.

Manjrekar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “He's not enjoying batting in India as much. Like Tendulkar, I think he just feels more at home away from home. We saw that in South Africa... when he played, he was by far India's best batter. That's fine; better to get runs away from home than at home.”