Virat Kohli may be known for his "ignore the noise" mantra, but according to former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, the batting superstar is far more tuned into outside criticism than he lets on.
In a recent appearance on Sportstar's Insight Edge Podcast, Manjrekar shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into Kohli's mindset. Despite Kohli's public insistence that he pays no attention to external opinions, Manjrekar revealed that the former India captain can be "very sensitive to criticism" and often knows exactly what's being said about him.
"So he's one of those first guys who kept saying, you know, we don't care about what people say… but he's also very sensitive," Manjrekar explained. The veteran commentator noted that Kohli would sometimes become noticeably "cold" toward him during pre-match tosses after hearing negative remarks about his performances.
Interestingly, Manjrekar believes this sensitivity might actually work in Kohli's favor. Rather than breaking him down, criticism seems to fuel his competitive fire. "It could spur him on to get that next big hundred," Manjrekar added, suggesting that negative comments may serve as powerful motivation for the RCB star.
This comes during a mixed IPL 2026 campaign for Kohli. While he started the season strongly with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, recent form has been a concern after back-to-back ducks against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians.
Beyond Kohli's response to criticism, Manjrekar also took a moment to reflect on his legacy as a Test captain. He called Kohli one of India's greatest leaders in the longest format, praising his ability to maintain high energy levels even when conditions favored bowlers. "The thing to like about him as captain was when things went flat… he would still make sure the team was driven," Manjrekar said.
Manjrekar also highlighted how Kohli's aggressive personality shaped the entire team's identity. "Under Virat Kohli, every player had to be like Virat Kohli," he noted, underscoring the demanding standards Kohli set during his tenure. Kohli stepped away from Test cricket ahead of India's England tour last year, leaving behind a legacy of passion, intensity, and relentless pursuit of excellence.