Former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen has come up with a hilarious statement ahead of the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 between India and England. He said that he was the one who backed Virat Kohli in his poor run of form but now he wants him to have a day off against England.
“As a close friend, I’m very happy for him, but I just need Virat to have a day off,” Kevin Pietersen ahead of the semi-final between India and England
Ever since T20 World Cup 2022 started, India batter Virat Kohli has been in the talks because of the form that he has shown in the tournament. The right-hander struggled for almost three years and his place in the side was even doubted.
However, a short break from cricket ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 did a lot of good to him as he came fresh and started scoring runs once again. His match awaited 71st century also came in that tournament and he carried his form in the ongoing World Cup as well.
Kohli kickstarted his campaign with the match-winning unbeaten 82-run knock again Pakistan. He was at his classical best as he almost single-handedly won the match for his side. If this was not enough, he then continued his fine form and smashed unbeaten 62 runs against the Netherlands.
He then had a dismal outing against South Africa in Perth but he came back strongly and smashed another half-century, scoring unbeaten 64 runs against Bangladesh and by 26-run knock against Zimbabwe.
Enjoying the process. 🙌♥️
.#𝗩𝗜deo pic.twitter.com/DmTpAarmzi— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 8, 2022
During his last two innings, he surpassed Mahela Jayawardene to become the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament and is also currently the leading run-getter in this edition of the tournament with 246 runs to his name.
With the kind of form, he’s in, Kohli is expected to play a big role for his side in the semi-final of the tournament against England. If India has to fancy their chances of winning the cup, the right-handedly needs to fire.
But Kevin Pietersen wants Virat Kohli to have an off day against England. Writing in the column for Betway, he said:
“I backed Kohli throughout the little loss of form that he had, and he’s had a lot to deal with. He is an entertainer, he needs crowds, he needs that buzz, he needs that excitement. He didn’t have that for a few years, and he lost his way. But the crowds are in, it’s a T20 World Cup in Australia – one of the greatest places to play T20 cricket – and the King is back. As a close friend, I’m very happy for him, but I just need Virat to have a day off.”
“When your talisman is back, it helps massively,” Kevin Pietersen says Virat Kohli’s good form has helped Suryakumar Yadav to bat freely
It’s not only Kohli, who has set the stage on fire, but Suryakumar Yadav too has stepped in and played some crucial knocks for his side. Pietersen feels that Kohli’s good form has helped Suryakumar to bat freely. He added:
“It’s just so good to see the greatest current player back in the runs, not only from India’s perspective, but for the world of cricket. For India, he’s such a major component for them to start seeing some consistency. When Virat plays well, the other players start to perform around him. You saw that with Suryakumar Yadav and the innings he played against Zimbabwe; it was just spectacular. When your talisman is back, it helps massively.”
Congratulations to @imVkohli – ICC Player of the Month for October 👏👏#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/IEnlciVt9T
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 7, 2022
