Sanjay Manjrekar has been one of the most vocal commentators when it comes to praising batters who strike at a high rate in IPL 2025. Over the course of the season, the former India cricketer has frequently highlighted the value of aggressive intent, celebrating those who’ve maintained strike rates above 200 while also racking up decent totals. Earlier this month, he even compiled a list of the top 10 batters with 200+ runs at standout strike rates.
The names included Priyansh Arya, Nicholas Pooran, Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Phil Salt, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Jos Buttler, and KL Rahul. More recently, Sanjay Manjrekar shared another list, focusing on batters striking between 153 and 205, with Nicholas Pooran leading the pack.
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He applauded Punjab Kings’ Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh for their attacking half-centuries during a rain-hit match against Kolkata Knight Riders. “Priyansh Arya 69(35), Prabhsimran 83(49) v KKR. Yet another instance of new-age batters outperforming earlier generation big names. T20s is their game!” he tweeted.
T20 cricket is as much about SR as runs. Here is the list that really matters. Top 10 batters this IPL with over 200 runs at great SR.
Priyansh Arya
Nicholas Pooran
Shreyas Iyer
Abhishek Sharma
Phil Salt
Mitchell Marsh
Travis Head
Heinrich Klassen
Jos Buttler
K L Rahul.…— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 18, 2025
When it comes to batting only list that matters.Big runs with great SR so far.
Pooran : 377 runs SR 205
Priyansh Arya : 254 runs SR 202
Shreyas : 263 runs SR 185
Surya : 373 runs SR 167
Buttler : 356 runs SR 166
Mitchell Marsh : 344 runs SR 161
Travis Head: 261 runs SR…
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 26, 2025
Priyansh Arya 69(35) Prabhsimran 83(49), last night v KKR. Yet another instance of new age batters out performing earlier generation big name batters. T20s is their game!
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 27, 2025
However, not everyone agreed with Manjrekar’s viewpoint. Vikas Kohli, brother of Virat Kohli, took a direct dig at the commentator’s career numbers. “Mr Sanjay Manjrekar; Career ODI strike rate: 64.31. Easy to talk about 200 plus strike rates,” he wrote on Threads, subtly defending Virat’s playing style..
Virat Kohli, despite not matching the explosive strike rates of some modern-day batters, has been among the top run-scorers this season. With 443 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 138.87, he’s second on the Orange Cap leaderboard. After a match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals, Kohli addressed the criticism aimed at his approach.
“I focus on the total, conditions, bowlers to come. I ensure my singles and doubles don’t dry up. That way the game moves, and you can build momentum. Partnerships matter. That’s how I’ve always batted in T20s,”Virat Kohli explained during a post-match chat.
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He further emphasized that not every surface allows for power-hitting from ball one. “This year, you’ve seen that reading the situation, stitching partnerships, and building an innings are as important as power-hitting. On slow tracks, strike rotation becomes key,” he said.
The debate around strike rate versus situational awareness in T20s continues, and Manjrekar’s comments have only added more fire to the conversation
