Former England Captain Praises Indian Duo Ahead of ODI Series Against England
Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has come out in strong support of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing that the two Indian batting legends still have a few years left in them and can continue to help India secure victories. Amid scrutiny over their recent form, Pietersen believes they have nothing left to prove and remain among the finest players in the game.
Kohli and Rohit Face Form Concerns
Both Kohli and Rohit were part of the Ranji Trophy, representing Delhi and Mumbai, respectively. However, their performances did not meet expectations, raising concerns about their current form. The duo will next be seen in action in the three-match ODI series against England, which serves as a crucial build-up to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.
‘Legends of the Game’ – Pietersen on Kohli and Rohit
Speaking to Star Sports, Pietersen dismissed any doubts about the two senior players, highlighting their immense contributions to Indian cricket. He particularly praised Kohli’s chasing ability, calling him the best in the country’s history.
“These guys don’t need to prove anything to anybody. They are legends of the game and wonderful entertainers. They still have a couple of years left. Virat Kohli is the best chaser India has ever had. No other batter in the world has won more games for their country while chasing than him. When he turns up, he’s got to play,” Pietersen said.
High Praise for Rohit Sharma
Pietersen also shared his admiration for Rohit Sharma, recalling how he saw immense potential in the Indian captain back in 2012, when Rohit was still making his mark in international cricket.
“I absolutely love both of them. I remember back in 2012, during a T20 or 50-over World Cup, when Rohit was just breaking into the Indian team. There was some criticism around him, but I had no doubts. I said back then that this young kid is going to be very special. He needed to be supported and given the opportunity to play,” Pietersen recalled.
He further lauded Rohit’s fearless approach, particularly against fast bowling.
“He was one of the first batters who went to Australia and took on the pacers. If someone bowled at 140 km/h, he would pull them with ease and hit sixes. He was brilliant back then and has only grown stronger over the years,” he added.
Focus on ODI Series Against England
With the ODI series against England starting on February 6, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have arrived in Nagpur to join the Indian squad. As the team prepares for the series, all eyes will be on these two stalwarts to see if they can silence their critics once again and lead India to victory.
