Sanjay Manjrekar Urges Suryakumar Yadav to Emulate Virat Kohli’s Fitness
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The Crucial Link Between Fitness and Form
In the high-octane world of modern T20 cricket, skill often commands the spotlight, but longevity is built on the foundation of physical conditioning. Former Indian cricketer and astute observer of the game, Sanjay Manjrekar, has recently turned his attention toward Mumbai Indians star and India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Following a lackluster run in the current IPL season, Manjrekar has suggested that the key to unlocking ‘SKY’s’ vintage form lies not in the nets, but in the gym.
The Statistical Reality of a Slump
Suryakumar Yadav has long been celebrated as the pioneer of 360-degree batting. His ability to manipulate fields with shots in the inverted ‘V’ and his trademark ‘supla’ shot redefined T20 batting. However, the current reality paints a different picture. In 10 matches this season, Yadav has managed just 195 runs at an average dipping below 20. With a lone half-century to his name, the struggle to find the middle of the bat has become glaringly obvious, especially when contrasted with his record-breaking 2025 IPL campaign where he amassed 717 runs.
Manjrekar’s Critique: The ‘Ruthless’ Nature of the Game
Speaking on the Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar was direct in his assessment. At 35, Yadav is at a career juncture where the body demands different levels of maintenance. Manjrekar noted, “If you get on the wrong side of 30, then if you don’t take care of your fitness too much, this game is so ruthless, it will start exposing you.” According to the former batter, the physical sharpness required to execute high-risk shots against elite bowlers is beginning to wane.
Manjrekar emphasized that Yadav should pivot his training philosophy. “I would only get him to get lighter on his feet, stronger, and spend time there, rather than practicing all the time because that’s his game as well,” he added. The core argument is that the mental side of the game is intact, but the body is currently unable to support the player’s intent.
The Kohli Benchmark
To illustrate his point, Manjrekar pointed directly to Virat Kohli. The RCB legend has successfully navigated the challenges of late-career cricket through an almost obsessive dedication to physical fitness. Manjrekar highlighted that even when Kohli faced tough times in T20 cricket, his physical base allowed him to adapt and bounce back.
“Take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book. Virat is not in his early 30s… look at him this season,” Manjrekar stated. He went as far as to draw a parallel with Rohit Sharma, suggesting that the current Indian captain’s own struggles at times could also be traced back to fitness plateaus. In Manjrekar’s view, the difference between the greats who sustain success and those who fade is often found in the weights room.
A Path Forward
The advice from Manjrekar is sincere and professional. He believes that by adopting an “extreme fitness” regimen similar to Kohli’s, Suryakumar Yadav can simplify his journey. The technical prowess is clearly there; the experience of handling pressure is well-documented. What remains is for the Mumbai star to ensure his physical engine is capable of sustaining his explosive style of play. As the cricket world watches on, the question remains: will the T20 maestro heed the advice and commit to a total physical overhaul to reclaim his crown at the top of the T20I rankings?
