Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has launched a scathing attack on Sanjay Manjrekar’s recent statements against Virat Kohli.
Kaif called Manjrekar a “fool” for saying that Virat Kohli chose the “easy format” i.e. ODI cricket because he did not have the courage to play Test cricket.
Kaif pointed out that big players around the world are struggling to dominate all formats at the same time in the modern era. He also told that England batsman Joe Root is an excellent Test batsman, but his record in ODIs is not good.
Whereas in ODI, Virat Kohli is far above everyone else. Kaif clarified that no player comes close to Kohli’s consistency and impact in ODIs.
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Mohammad Kaif told journalist Ravi Bisht, “This argument makes no sense. Look around – the big players are struggling in all formats. Tell me one player who is equally impressive in all formats. Name anyone. You keep saying Joe Root. Joe Root… Take Joe Root for example. He is a great Test player, but his ODI record is not good. Now talk about Virat Kohli. There is no one close to him in ODI cricket.”
Kaif disagreed that Kohli took the easy route. He reminded Manjrekar that Kohli has already scored over 9,000 runs in Test cricket and has nothing left to prove.
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He further added, “If someone says that Virat chose the easy format and moved away from the difficult format, then it is completely wrong. He has already scored more than 9,000 runs in Test cricket. He has already proved himself in the toughest format of the game. He has nothing left to prove.”
The former Indian batsman also said that Kohli has performed well in all three formats and has ruled the cricket world for years, so calling his decisions weak or easy is childish and unfair.
Kaif said, “Virat has already proved himself in all three formats of the game. Many players will never be able to reach his level in one format. To call this decision weak or easy is childish and foolish. ODI cricket is not easy. In ODIs, people expect not 30 runs from Virat but a century. And he also scores 100 and 90 and wins matches for the team. If the format is really that easy, then other players like Virat Kohli Why don’t you perform like that?” That is the real question.”
Is @imVkohli Playing the easiest (ODI) format? @mohammadkaif the answer is #ViratKholi #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/5FosEjefwL
– Ravish Bisht (@ravishbofficial) 13 January 2026
Sanjay Manjrekar raised questions on Virat Kohli’s test ability
Last week, Sanjay Manjrekar had hit out at Virat Kohli after Joe Root and Steve Smith both scored centuries in the final Ashes Test in Sydney. The former Indian batsman said that it was sad for him to see Kohli leave Test cricket and focus his attention completely on the “easier format” – ODI cricket.
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Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025 after a poor tour of Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy exposed a major weakness in his batting. In nine innings, Kohli scored just 190 runs and kept getting out in the same manner, chasing balls outside the off stump.
Manjrekar felt that Kohli had failed to fix the problem and decided to step away from Test cricket altogether. He indicated that Kohli announced his Test retirement because he could not resolve his technical issues, especially against quality fast bowling in challenging conditions.
Manjrekar explains why ODI is an easier format
He took a sharp dig at Kohli for choosing the easier format – ODI cricket – and explained why this format is more comfortable for the top batsmen. However, Kohli’s overall Test statistics remain impressive, with 123 matches, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name.
Now, Kohli continues to dominate the ODI format and remains the leading century-scorer in the format with 53 centuries. After Kohli’s impressive innings in the first ODI against New Zealand, Manjrekar said that the ODI format is easier for the top-order and No. 3 batsmen because there are no four slips and gullies, and the bowlers just try to ensure that not many runs are leaked, not attack you.
