Experts Suggest Kohli Fitness Model And Rohit Approach For Suryakumar Yadav In IPL 2026

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav to revisit the fitness and discipline frameworks followed by senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as the struggling Mumbai Indians skipper continues to endure a poor run in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026.

Suryakumar’s form has been under scrutiny this season, with the right-hander managing just 195 runs in 10 matches at an average of 19.50. Despite Mumbai Indians registering a win over Lucknow Super Giants recently, his personal contribution once again remained modest, as he scored 12 off seven deliveries. The lack of consistency has contributed to MI’s mid-table struggles.

Manjrekar, speaking on a podcast, suggested that the issue may be rooted in physical conditioning rather than technique alone. He argued that modern T20 cricket is increasingly unforgiving for players whose fitness levels decline with age, especially after crossing their early 30s. According to him, even elite batters can find their shot execution and reflex timing affected if fitness standards drop marginally.

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He pointed to Virat Kohli as the benchmark for sustaining performance longevity. Kohli’s emphasis on elite fitness, Manjrekar noted, has helped him remain effective even during lean phases in T20 cricket. He suggested that Suryakumar could benefit from adopting a similar approach, where physical conditioning is prioritised as the foundation for batting consistency.

Manjrekar also drew a comparison with Rohit Sharma, stating that periods of dip in form for senior players often coincide with reduced attention to fitness demands. He implied that maintaining high physical standards is crucial for sustaining performance in a format that relies heavily on reflexes, agility, and shot execution under pressure.

For Suryakumar, the concern is not just IPL form but a broader dip across formats. After a strong IPL campaign last year, his international returns have been inconsistent, with only sporadic standout performances. Even in major tournaments like the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, his impact has been limited, raising questions about his current role in the T20 setup.

While Manjrekar acknowledged Suryakumar’s vast experience and proven match-winning ability, he stressed that physical readiness must align with intent. In his view, restoring peak fitness could simplify Suryakumar’s batting approach and allow his natural strokeplay to resurface, potentially reversing his current slump in form.

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