Manoj Tiwary has pushed back against Sanjay Manjrekar’s assertion that Virat Kohli left Test cricket to chase an “easier” format, arguing the circumstances around Kohli’s exit were far more complex. Tiwary told InsideSport that Kohli didn’t walk away by choice but was effectively forced out, and that to frame his retirement as a bid for easier runs misses the bigger picture.

Tiwary suggested an off-field atmosphere made Kohli’s continued involvement in Tests untenable. “He was compelled to quit. An environment developed where he had to say goodbye to Test cricket,” Tiwary said, adding that while Kohli announced the decision, what unfolded behind the scenes explains why.

Manoj Tiwary rejected the notion that Kohli abandoned the game’s toughest format for convenience, calling such claims unfair given Kohli’s temperament and track record.

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On the field, Kohli answered critics with a dominant ODI century during India’s recent series loss to New Zealand. His 124 off 108 balls was a clinical display of timing and intent, combining crisp drives, authoritative pulls and smart shot selection to keep India competitive. Kohli carried the innings as wickets tumbled, anchoring the chase and showing the class that made him a modern great.

Despite Kohli’s heroics, India fell short, bowled out for 296 in 46 overs while chasing 338, and New Zealand clinched the series 2-1. The defeat was a historic first — India’s first home ODI series loss to the Kiwis — and a reminder that team sport often turns on small margins.

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Tiwary’s defence of Kohli reframes the retirement debate: rather than an easy switch, it is better viewed as an outcome shaped by selection dynamics and off-field pressures. For many insiders and fans, Kohli’s commitment to Test cricket was never in doubt; the question is whether the system gave him the space to continue with dignity.