Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has shed light on the personal side of Virat Kohli, describing the former India captain as someone who channels criticism into motivation, using it to elevate both his own performances and the intensity of the team around him.
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge Podcast, Manjrekar recalled how Kohli’s reactions occasionally revealed that outside noise did affect him, despite his public stance of indifference.
“That is very important to him (privacy). But somebody who is also very sensitive to criticism. He, I think, gets to know about what’s being said about him, because I’ve had an experience with him as a captain and player. And suddenly one day I would find him very cold at the toss or whatever, and I would think, perhaps he heard something that was being said about him,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge Podcast.
“So, he’s one of those first guys who kept saying, you know, we don’t care about what people say and why, so he’s also very sensitive. But maybe it’s a good thing as well that if he hears that kind of criticism or something negative, that will just spur him on to get that next big hundred,” he added.
Manjrekar, however, stressed that Kohli’s emotional intensity often translated into a powerful leadership style, particularly in difficult moments during Test matches. According to him, one of Kohli’s biggest strengths as captain was his ability to maintain belief and energy within the side even when conditions were stacked against India.
“The thing to like about him as captain was when things went flat, when he knew he wouldn’t be able to get a wicket on the pitch that he had in the bowling resources. He would still make sure the team was driven and that there was the energy of the field, and he made them believe things would happen. I think that was his great strength,” said Manjrekar.
The former batter also pointed to the cultural shift Kohli brought to the Indian dressing room, saying the team often mirrored the personality and aggression of its captain.
“I’ve always believed that the team wears the look of the captain. Under Virat Kohli, every player had to be like Virat Kohli. If anyone went out there and looked a little flat, they would not be playing the next Test match. So, everybody responded to Virat’s aggression,” he added.
Published on May 12, 2026