'More matches would’ve been better for him' - Sanjay Manjrekar feels Virat Kohli now has had enough breaks

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that the Indian management should have played Virat Kohli in every international match possible. The former Indian captain has been struggling for rus since the last few months and there have been many debates on whether he needs rest or more game time.

Kohli has played only five matches, all against England, since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2022 on May 29. He has missed India’s 14 international matches in the last two months and is not a part of the ongoing five-match T20I series against India. He is also missing India’s next ODI series against Zimbabwe later this month and is likely to play directly in the Asia Cup 2022 tournament, against Pakistan on the 28th of August.

“I think they should have played Virat Kohli in every International match possible, whatever the format because Virat has had his breaks. People are advocating that he should take some breaks and he’s had his breaks. If you look at the last two years, he’s not played a lot of International cricket,” said Sanjay Manjrekar on SPORTS18 show ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP’. According to some recent reports, Kohli himself asked for a break from the Zimbabwe tour and has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he will be available for selection from the Asia Cup.

“Maybe there’s some logic there that we don’t know about. Maybe they had a chat with Virat Kohli, but my personal view is the more Virat Kohli would’ve played and especially these matches would’ve been better for him,” Manjrekar added.

Sanjay Manjrekar gives Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s example

The Indian commentator gave Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s example of how more game time helped him bounce back to his best. The experienced Indian pacer struggled with fitness and form for the last two years and many predicted an end for him. But the death-over specialist has made a great comeback with both form and fitness and is expected to feature in the Indian bowling attack in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

“Bhuvneshwar recently gave an interview, and he is at his peak at the moment. Eighteen months back, we thought he may not have an international career. But, he has bounced back superbly and is a certainty to make the T20 world cup squad. And he said, the more I bowl, the more I get my rhythm,” Manjrekar said.