Sanjay Manjrekar questions Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav fitness standards: 'Look at Virat Kohli

Indian cricket is embroiled in a heated debate over the fitness standards of senior players. Legend Sanjay Manjrekar has publicly criticized national team captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Suryakumar Yadav for failing to match the elite conditioning culture set by Virat Kohli, widely regarded as Mr. Cricket India.

Fitness decline impacts performance

Manjrekar emphasized that both players have shown a noticeable drop in fitness after entering their 30s, which has directly affected their on-field performance, particularly in the fast-paced T20 format. He argued that in modern cricket, fitness is the cornerstone of maintaining elite competitive standards, and players must meet rigorous conditioning requirements to handle the demands of high-level international cricket.

Fitness culture sparks debate

Using Kohli as his benchmark, Manjrekar highlighted how the Indian cricket icon has maintained exceptional fitness levels throughout his career, setting a standard of discipline for the entire team. He stressed bluntly that unless players hold themselves to strict standards, they will struggle to remain competitive at the highest level.

Senior fitness issue escalates

Manjrekar's comments have sparked widespread discussion among Indian fans about aging and conditioning in the national squad. Since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) implemented stricter fitness benchmarks, balancing experience with physical conditioning has become a key challenge. Many supporters argue that while experience matters, a lack of fitness will directly undermine a player's ability to deliver in crucial moments.