[Exclusive] You don't really need Virat Kohli to contribute in home conditions: Sanjay Manjrekar

The Men's Senior Selection Committee announced team India's 15-member squad for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand. The Rohit Sharma-led side will invite the BlackCaps for the opening encounter of the series in Bengaluru at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by the second and third Tests in Pune and Mumbai, respectively.

Meanwhile, star India batter Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch in Test cricket, and hasn't been able to compile big knocks for quite some time now. When asked about the go-to approach for Kohli in the upcoming Test in Bengaluru, cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar told that there isn't much to worry about the form of the experienced cricketer, especially in home conditions.

“I don't worry too much about Virat Kohli's form in a home series. This is because the way he batted in South Africa when India were there in December last year in tough conditions tells me that Virat Kohli's value will be fully realized when India goes to Australia,” Manjrekar exclusively told CricTracker.

Furthermore, Manjrekar acknowledged that the best of Kohli comes out when the 35-year-old is exposed to the toughest of conditions, and mentioned that India have managed to win in familiar conditions without depending a lot on his form. The Mumbai-born added that he expects more of Virat Kohli when India travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

“So yes, you want some runs at the test level, but in home series you don't really need Virat Kohli to contribute because despite that India tends to win. It is only when the tough challenge is opposed. That's when you need somebody like Virat. Kohli proved when India was in South Africa. So yeah, let's hope it gets runs by. I don't think I have any suggestion as to what you should do to get runs in India. My expectation from Virat Kohli is going to be more in Australia,” the former cricketer added.

Watch the video of Manjrekar speaking on Kohli here:

It is noteworthy to mention that Kohli plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, and has been associated with the franchise for seventeen seasons. Naturally enough, Kohli is well-acquainted to the pitch conditions at Bengaluru and has scored a plethora of runs at the venue, be it IPL or internationals. As a result, the crowd favourite will once again return to his home ground, and the fans would be cheering for a big score from the run machine.

Also Check: Watch: Virat Kohli lands in Mumbai ahead of three-match Test series against New Zealand

India find a new vice-captain in Jasprit Bumrah

Speaking of the Indian squad for the Test series against the Tom Latham-led side, the 15 players named are no significant changes from the one for the second Test versus Bangladesh, which concluded recently in Kanpur. However, a designated vice-captain in the form of Jasprit Bumrah was announced as Rohit's deputy by the selection committee.

The Bengaluru Test will commence on October 16, whereas the second Test at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is slated to be played on October 24 and run up until October 28. After a four-day gap, the teams will reach Mumbai for the third and final game at the Wankhede Stadium.

Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Akash Deep