Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Virat Kohli had his second-best Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season but they failed to make it to the final for eighth consecutive edition. Kohli bowed out of the tournament with the orange cap still on his head and it is likely to stay that way irrespective of who lifts the trophy. After RCB were eliminated by Rajasthan Royals (RR), his former teammate Kevin Pietersen suggested that the 35-year-old should bid goodbye to the franchise and play for Delhi Capitals (DC). The Delhi-based franchise hasn’t won an IPL trophy either but Pietersen feels that players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Harry Kane did not play for only one club either.
“I have said it before and I will say it again — the greats of the game in other sports have left teams to go and seek glory somewhere else. When he has tried and tried so hard — won the Orange Cap yet again and done so much yet again, and the franchise fails again,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.
Pietersen said his loyalty towards the franchise is unmatched and he deserves to lift the coveted trophy.
“I understand the brand of the team and the commercial value he brings to the team… But Virat Kohli deserves a trophy. He deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy,” said the former English cricketer.
In addition, Pietersen wants Kohli to opt out of RCB’s list of retained players ahead of the mega auction and switch to Rishabh Pant-led DC.
“I actually think it should be Delhi. Delhi is the place where Virat needs to go. Virat can go away and stay at home most of the time, I know he has a home in Delhi. He has a young family. He can spend more time there. He is a Delhi boy. Why can’t he go back? Delhi are as desperate as Bengaluru,” the 43-year-old added.
When Delhi chose Sangwan over Kohli
Interestingly, Kohli had revealed that DC had a chance to pick him in the inaugural edition but they went for left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan instead in the auction. Kohli is one of the few cricketers who have played for only one franchise in their IPL career. He also records for most runs in IPL history.
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