Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended Virat Kohli from easiest format criticism amid the ongoing New Zealand series. Singh said Manjrekar has his own way of thinking. Manjrekar recently expressed his disappointment after Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket. 

The former right-hander said he is surprised that Kohli has decided to continue playing ODI cricket, which is the easiest format for any top-order batter. Meanwhile, Kohli continued his red-hot form, scoring a match-winning knock of 93 runs off just 91 balls in the opening ODI against New Zealand.

“I just feel sad that people like Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson are really making a name for themselves in Test cricket. It was okay if Virat Kohli had just walked away from cricket and retired from all cricket. But that he has chosen to play One Day cricket actually disappoints me more. Because this is a format for a top-order batter is the easiest format,” said Manjrekar (via his Instagram handle).

Reacting to Manjrekar’s comments, Singh said at an event via Sportstar, “If it was so easy to score runs in any format, then everyone would have made it. Let’s just enjoy what people are doing. Manjrekar has his own way of thinking. They are playing well, winning games, scoring runs, and taking wickets. That’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter who plays which format.”

“Virat, whether he plays in one format or all formats, has been a fantastic player and a big-time match-winner for India. They inspire the next generation. The way I see it is that Virat and these players have played a major role to take this game forward.”

The Turbanator said even if now Virat Kohli plays Test cricket, he would be India’s main player.

“Virat is an unbelievable player. Even today, if he plays Test cricket, he will be our main player,” said Harbhajan (via the aforementioned source).

Kohli was dismissed after scoring 23 runs in the second ODI against the Kiwis.