Virat Kohli hit back at former England captain Kevin Pietersen after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the match against the Punjab Kings (IPL) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on March 25 (Monday). The former RCB skipper and maverick batter, Kohli scored a match-winning half-century that set the stage for a finish from Dinesh Karthik. Kohli scored 77 runs off 49 balls with the help of 11 fours and two sixes after being handed an early lifeline by Jonny Bairstow.
Kohli addresses Pietersen's remarks
Kohli was awarded the Man of the Match award for his stupendous performance with the bat and during the presentation ceremony, the Indian superstar took the opportunity to address the statement made by Kevin Pietersen. Kohli said that people want him to promote the game around the world but there in still much more remaining in his tank.
"I know my name is quite attached to just promoting the game in many parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket, but I have still got it I guess," Kohli told the broadcaster.
What did Kevin Pietersen say?
Amidst widespread debate around Kohli's place in India's T20I squad, Pietersen made a strong claim and said that the Indian superstar can play a huge role in promoting the sport in America and globally. Pietersen batted for Kohli's selection in India's T20 World Cup squad regardless of his performance in the shortest format of the game.
"You want someone like Virat Kohli to grow the game in America and globally," Pietersen had said earlier.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held right after the conclusion of the cash-rich tournament. The Indian squad will mostly comprise of players who are in red-hot form in the IPL. It's still not clear whether Kohli's place in the Indian T20I World Cup squad is sealed or not.
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