Former England captain Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday stated health freak Virat Kohli has turned his teammates into “out and out athletes” and referred to as him the person accountable for an unbelievable turnaround in Indian cricket. Beforehand whereas commentating in IPL 2024, Pietersen stated Kohli must be picked within the Indian workforce for the T20 World Cup within the USA and the West Indies for the “good of the sport no matter his performances”. In a refined message after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory over Punjab Kings on Monday, Kohli stated he has nonetheless obtained the the sport to thrive within the T20 format and would not simply see himself as a automobile to develop the sport globally.
Following Kohli’s feedback, which created a flutter, Pietersen informed Star Sports activities, “One of many issues that everybody will keep in mind and can create the best recollections as a participant will likely be him ending innings and being one the best finishers of all time.
“One of many issues that he has finished for Indian cricket is he has turned Indian cricketers into athletes, out and out athletes, and whereas doing so, he isn’t simply talked the discuss. He has walked the stroll, and you’ll see that.” Talking about his dedication to his workforce, Pietersen added, “When he’s working between the wickets, his full dedication, power and need is to be the very best and he’s the very best.
“That begins earlier than the sector, that begins with weight loss program, the power he places within the fitness center, with the sacrifices that he has made to stroll the stroll as a result of while you discuss the discuss, it’s a must to stroll the stroll.
“That is what all the opposite gamers who’ve performed below you might be following you, watch you. The turnaround in Indian cricket is due to what he has finished.” South African legend and Kohli’s former RCB teammate AB de Villiers too is in awe of the Indian batting mainstay.
Talking on JioCinema after Kohli’s match-winning 49-ball 76 on Monday night time, De Villiers stated, “I may see it in his eyes, this man meant enterprise tonight and no person was going to face in his method. Sadly, he did not end it on the again finish. He would have needed to.
“Understanding him, he will likely be analysing tonight in his room, ‘Why did not I end that sport?’ He is very exhausting on himself generally. He is creeping up there on the checklist of most 50 scores with the opposite guys in IPL historical past.
“He is an incredible participant, he performed fantastically nicely tonight. He stored it collectively, stored them within the sport. Effectively performed, Virat.”
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