The India vs. England Test match at Headingley witnessed a controversy sparked by veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who appeared to take a subtle dig at Virat Kohli during his commentary. Manjrekar's remark alluded to a "former batter" known for chasing wide deliveries outside the off-stump, a weakness that plagued Kohli, particularly during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. This comment came shortly after Kohli's retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, adding fuel to the fire.

While praising the disciplined approach of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who were cautious against deliveries outside the off-stump, Manjrekar stated, "So a lot of what you're seeing is being created by these two batters. And my hat, there's another example of it we know of. A former batter would have gone after that delivery and got himself into trouble, but not these two. And that's why I believe." Although Manjrekar didn't explicitly name Kohli, the reference was clear to many listeners, given Kohli's well-documented struggles with deliveries in that channel.

Social media erupted with reactions, with many fans criticizing Manjrekar for bringing up Kohli's past struggles even after his retirement. The perceived lack of respect towards a player of Kohli's stature drew considerable flak. Some users labeled Manjrekar's comment as "unreal disrespect," questioning the need to target Kohli even after he had hung up his boots in the Test format.

Kohli's vulnerability outside the off-stump has been a recurring theme in his Test career, particularly in conditions that offer lateral movement. During the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he was dismissed in a similar fashion multiple times, edging deliveries to the slips or caught behind. Despite his remarkable achievements in Test cricket, this weakness has often been highlighted by critics.

Manjrekar's comments have reopened a long-standing debate about Kohli's technique and his inability to consistently overcome this particular vulnerability. While Kohli has scored heavily in Test cricket, his struggles against deliveries outside the off-stump have been a persistent concern. This isn't the first time Manjrekar has commented on Kohli's technique. He previously noted that one reason Kohli's average had slipped was his "unfortunate weakness outside off" and his "adamance to not try another way to tackle it."

Interestingly, moments after Manjrekar's comment during the Test match, KL Rahul fell to a similar trap, getting caught in the slips while attempting an expansive drive outside off-stump. This incident added another layer to the discussion, highlighting the risks associated with chasing wide deliveries, even for accomplished batsmen.

While Manjrekar's intention behind the comment remains debatable, it has undoubtedly stirred up emotions among Kohli's fans and reignited the discussion about his strengths and weaknesses as a Test batsman. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny that star cricketers face, even after retirement, and the enduring power of commentary to shape public perception.