Sanjay Manjrekar Urges Suryakumar Yadav to Follow Virat Kohli’s Fitness Model

A Critical Assessment of Suryakumar Yadav‘s Recent Form

The world of T20 cricket is notoriously unforgiving, and even the most celebrated stars are not immune to the harsh reality of declining form. Recently, former Indian cricketer and noted analyst Sanjay Manjrekar turned his attention to Mumbai Indians’ batting stalwart, Suryakumar Yadav. In a candid assessment, Manjrekar highlighted that the 35-year-old’s struggles are less about his technical ability and more about the physical demands of modern-day cricket.

The Numbers Behind the Slump

Suryakumar Yadav, affectionately known as ‘SKY’ by his massive fanbase, was once the undisputed king of T20 cricket. His trademark ‘supla’ shot and his uncanny ability to score in the inverted ‘V’ made him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. However, the current IPL season has painted a starkly different picture. Despite brief flashes of his brilliance, Yadav has struggled for consistency, managing only 195 runs in 10 matches. With an average hovering below 20 and a strike rate of approximately 146, the output is a far cry from the astronomical 717 runs he amassed in the 2025 IPL season, a year where he set records for his sheer dominance.

Fitness: The Silent Killer of Form

Speaking on the Sportstar ‘Insight Edge’ podcast, Manjrekar did not mince words regarding why he believes Yadav is struggling. According to the former batter, the physical attributes that once made Yadav a 360-degree powerhouse are beginning to fail him because his fitness levels are not where they need to be for a player in his late 30s.

Manjrekar noted, “I don’t think he is as fit as he was 5 or 6 years back. If you get on the wrong side of 30, and you don’t take care of your fitness, this game is so ruthless that it will start exposing you.” He emphasized that the natural eye-hand coordination and reflexes that players take for granted in their youth often begin to wane, and only extreme physical conditioning can bridge that gap.

The Virat Kohli Benchmark

To illustrate his point, Manjrekar held up Virat Kohli as the gold standard for longevity in the sport. Manjrekar argued that Kohli’s ability to remain highly relevant and successful in T20 cricket, even after navigating several tough phases in his career, is fundamentally tied to his unparalleled fitness regimen.

“Take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book,” Manjrekar advised. “What is the one difference between the fitness of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli? I am telling you, honestly, all the other things are there with him.” Manjrekar went on to make a provocative comparison, suggesting that the legendary Rohit Sharma also saw his form dip in later years because he did not prioritize his fitness to the same extent as Kohli.

A Path Forward for SKY

Manjrekar believes that the solution for Suryakumar Yadav is straightforward but demanding. He suggests that rather than spending exhaustive hours in the nets refining shots he already knows, Yadav should redirect that energy into physical training. By becoming “lighter on his feet” and stronger, Yadav could make the game much simpler for himself.

• Prioritize Conditioning: Move focus from net practice to intense physical training.
• Mental Relief: Manjrekar posits that once the body is physically capable of executing the intent, the mental game will naturally stabilize.
• Adopt the ‘Kohli’ Mindset: View fitness as the primary driver of success rather than a secondary component of the game.

Ultimately, the message is clear: if Suryakumar Yadav wishes to prolong his career and return to the pinnacle of T20 cricket, he must embrace the grueling path of professional fitness. At 35, the clock is ticking, but as the examples of other legends show, the right physical approach can extend a career significantly, turning a period of decline into a masterful final act.