In a candid assessment that has sparked debate across the cricketing world, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed to a stark contrast in fitness cultures between Virat Kohli and his current teammates Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Manjrekar believes that while Kohli's elite conditioning has been a cornerstone of his enduring success, others may have fallen short—and it's costing them, especially in the high-octane world of T20 cricket.
Speaking on the Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar didn't mince words. He suggested that as players cross the 30-year mark, physical decline becomes inevitable—but how you manage it makes all the difference. "Take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book," Manjrekar said. "Virat is not in his early 30s, and he had tough times in T20 cricket. But look at him this season. What is the one difference between Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli’s fitness?"
The question cuts to the heart of a growing concern. Manjrekar acknowledged that Suryakumar still possesses the experience, skill, and mental sharpness to dominate. "The mental side of things is there. Just get your body to support your intent," he explained. "I thought Rohit Sharma as well fell off and waned because he didn’t take care of his fitness as much as he should have. He just made things a little more difficult. I see that with Surya as well."
Manjrekar repeatedly returned to Kohli's relentless discipline as the gold standard. "Take your fitness levels to the next level. Go into extreme fitness like Virat does," he urged. "When Virat gets any success, the first thing he attributes that to is his physical fitness." According to Manjrekar, T20 cricket is especially unforgiving after 30—even a slight drop in conditioning can turn brilliance into struggle.
He described Suryakumar's recent dip in form as one of the most fascinating stories in T20 cricket, especially after years of sustained brilliance alongside England's Jos Buttler. "He and Jos Buttler ruled T20 batting," Manjrekar recalled. "But then this sudden drop of form came… the consistency of brilliance just wasn't there."
For fans and aspiring cricketers, the message is clear: in a sport where every split-second matters, fitness isn't just a bonus—it's the foundation. And as Kohli continues to prove, the best investment you can make is in your own body.