Former England player Kevin Pietersen has backed senior India batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play for the Indian team for the next two years as well. The veteran added that the duo are legends of the game and they don’t need to prove anything to anyone as well.
Pietersen further added Virat Kohli’s chasing ability, calling him the best in the world. He said amid criticism of Kohli and Rohit following
India’s loss at the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
Kevin Pietersen told Star Sports: “These guys don’t need to prove anything to anybody, they are legends of the game. They are wonderful entertainers. 35 and 36 [actually 36 and 37], these guys have another couple of years. He is the best chaser that you ever had in this country. There is no single batter in the world that has chased and won more games for the country than Virat Kohli. When he turns up, he’s gotta play.”
“I absolutely love both of them [Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma]. I remember back in 2012… I think it was a T20 or a 50-over World Cup when Rohit was making his way into the Indian team. I think there was a bit of criticism about him and I said this young kid is gonna be very very special. He needs to be looked after and be played,” he again shared.
ALSO READ: “I think Virat Kohli is the only option” – AB de Villiers backs Kohli as RCB captain for IPL 2025
“You’ve seen that throughout his career, he was one of the first batters that went to Australia because he was one of the guys that turned up, decided if it’s gonna be short and you’re bowling 140 to me, I pull you off my nose and I’m hitting you for sixes. The guy was so good at the start and has continued to be great ever since,” he further added.
Kevin Pietersen also warned India of veteran England batter Joe Root ahead of the three-match ODI series as well. He shared how Root has been excellent with the bat for Paarl Royals in SA20.
“Joe Root comes back and he’s just playing gorgeous cricket for Paarl Royals in SA20. He’s just been a delight to watch. Given the opportunity to bat at the top of the order and he’s just made run after run after run. No doubt, he’s gonna bat for a long time. Where he bats in these conditions, 1, 2, or 3, I don’t know. It’ll be great to see him bat at the top of the order and just say, ‘You just got 50 overs, go out there and score 150 or 160′,” Kevin Pietersen concluded.
