"There should be no surprises" - When Sanjay Manjrekar made a huge prediction on Virat Kohli ahead of India's Test tour of England in 2014

Former Indian batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has often been vocal about Virat Kohli during the latter's illustrious career. One such instance was when he predicted the ace batter to have a sensational Test series in England in 2014.

Yet, the prediction could not have gone more wrong as Kohli endured one of his worst moments in an otherwise stellar career. The right-hander was repeatedly worked over with deliveries outside off-stump by former pacer James Anderson through all five Tests.

Kohli finished with 134 runs at a dismal average of 13.40 in 10 innings with no half-centuries.

Manjrekar's prediction for the former Indian captain in his column for ESPN Cricinfo read:

"One of the smartest batsmen around, a lot is riding on the very confident Virat Kohli. With no apparent weakness, he should avoid playing away from his body early on in his innings till his feet start moving well. Given the opposition bowling attack and the kind of form Kohli is in, there should be no surprises if he notches up lots of runs on the tour."

Kohli's struggles led to India squandering a massive opportunity to win a Test series in England, relinquishing a 1-0 lead and losing 1-3.

Virat Kohli retired from Tests ahead of upcoming England tour

Virat Kohli's Test performances in England have often been scrutinized after his struggles in 2014. However, the 36-year-old responded in style in the following tour in 2018, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series with 593 runs at an average of 59.30.

Despite middling returns in the 2021/22 Test tour of England, Kohli helped India come away with a 2-2 draw. India will be at a massive disadvantage in experience in the upcoming five-Test series in England, with the veteran batter announcing his retirement from the format last month.

He finished his Test career with 9,230 runs at an average of almost 47, including 30 centuries in 123 matches. Kohli's Test numbers in England weren't impressive, averaging 33.21 in 17 games. Yet, he made several telling contributions across India's last two tours in 2018 and 2021/22.

A young Indian side will lock horns with England in a five-match affair, starting at Leeds on June 20.