The simmering debate around Virat Kohli's career choices and his perceived dominance in One Day International (ODI) cricket has reignited, this time fueled by a subtle yet pointed social media exchange between Kohli's brother, Vikas, and former Indian cricketer and commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar. The controversy stems from Manjrekar's recent remarks about Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket in 2025 while continuing to play ODIs, implying that the 50-over format is easier for top-order batsmen.

Manjrekar had suggested that Kohli opted for the "easy path" by focusing on ODIs, a format where he believes top-order batters face fewer challenges compared to Test cricket. He argued that ODI cricket allows batsmen to bat without the pressure of multiple slips and a gully, and bowlers are primarily focused on containing runs rather than taking wickets. Manjrekar also pointed out that several Indian cricketers who were middle-order batsmen in Test cricket were eager to open in ODIs, highlighting the perceived ease of the format for top-order players.

Following Kohli's impressive 93-run innings against New Zealand in the first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, 2026, Vikas Kohli took to social media platform Threads to seemingly address Manjrekar's comments. In a cryptic post, Vikas wrote: "Such an easy format isn't it...someone gave his gyaan few days back...easier said than done...". While Vikas refrained from directly naming Manjrekar, the timing and context of the post made it clear that it was a response to the commentator's remarks.

This isn't the first time Vikas Kohli has defended his brother against criticism from Sanjay Manjrekar. During the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), Vikas had also taken a dig at Manjrekar when the latter emphasized the importance of a high strike rate and omitted Kohli from his list of top batsmen. Vikas responded by highlighting Manjrekar's own ODI strike rate, posting, "Mr sanjay majrekar Career odi strike rate : 64.31. Easy to talk about 200 plus strike rates".

Prior to the ODI series against New Zealand, Vikas had also lashed out at Kohli's critics, suggesting that some individuals "can't run their houses without taking Virat Kohli's name". This latest social media exchange underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions about Kohli's career and his perceived strengths and weaknesses across different formats of the game.

Kohli's 93-run innings in the first ODI against New Zealand, where he was named Player of the Match, further fueled the debate. While Manjrekar's comments have sparked controversy, they also raise questions about the evolving nature of ODI cricket and the pressures faced by top-order batsmen in the modern game. The incident highlights the fine line between objective analysis and personal attacks in the world of sports commentary, especially when it involves high-profile players like Virat Kohli.