ENG vs IND 2025: Sanjay Manjrekar takes sly dig at Virat Kohli during commentary

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer, caused a stir on social media after making a statement about Virat Kohli while commentating on Day 1 of the first Test between England and India. The event occurred after the fifth ball of the twenty-first over had been bowled.

KL Rahul was on strike. Brydon Carse delivered a full-length delivery that was way outside the line of the off stump. Rahul let the delivery alone.

Sanjay Manjrekar, who was on the commentary panel, hinted to a ‘previous batter’ that he would have chased the widish pitch.

“Potential wicket-takers, outside the off-stump full, and they were left alone. Jaiswal has done that; everything that has pitched directly onto the stumps is driven, while anything that has pitched wide is not disturbed. We know a former batter who would have gone for it and gotten himself in jail, but not these two (Rahul and Jaiswal),” Manjrekar said during the live broadcast.

Netizens quickly figured out what was going on. A huge wave of criticism erupted on social media, with many cricket fans decrying Manjrekar’s intentions to delve deep into Kohli’s past even after the ace batsman retired from Test cricket.

Ayo on 20.5, KL Rahul left a wide length ball outside off and Sanjay Manjrekar literally said

“We know a former batter who would have gone after it and got himself into trouble but not these two”

And I’m genuinely not joking. Someone pls post the video. Unreal disrespect for…

— Bakri Player (@91_of_79) June 20, 2025

For the uninitiated, Kohli’s deliveries on the fifth and sixth stump lines have recently been a weakness in the red ball game. During the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he was dismissed in the same manner eight out of nine times.

In terms of how the day has unfolded so far, India appears to be on top. After 51 overs, they were 215/2 when Tea was called. In his maiden Test in England, Jaiswal scored an outstanding century. Shubman Gill has also reached his half-century mark at a respectable pace.