The misfiring Virat Kohli has once again ignited the debate around his poor run with the willow as he was seen returning to the pavilion for a golden duck in an IPL clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. However RCB went on to clinch the issue by 18 runs.
So far in the tournament, Virat has amassed just 119 runs in the seven matches that he has played with a lowly average of 19.83.
Meanwhile, former England star batter Kevin Pietersen and ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri were found in unison while advicing the former India captain to take a break from cricket for a while and then get back at it re-energised.
Pietersen couldn't agree more to Shastri when the latter said," He needs a break because he has got 6-7 years of cricket left in him and you don't want to lose that with a fried brain. He is not the only one. There might be 1 or 2 in world cricket going through the same. You need to address the problem upfront".
The 41-year-old English batter said that Kohli had so much to deal with, right from marriage to baby to media scrutiny and all on his personal life.
"100 percent correct, Ravi. The guy has had so much to deal with, from marriage to baby to media scrutiny and all on his personal life. He is the biggest star on show," Pietersen said.
Kohli got out for a golden duck in RCB's 18-run win over LSG in Match 31 of IPL 2022 on Tuesday. Kohli threw his bat at a wide delivery and was caught at point. The star batter looked hopeless as he was unable to believe what he had done in the middle.
Kohli has managed to pass the 20-run mark in 6 matches in IPL 2022 only twice, once when he made 41* against PBKS and then when he was out LBW for 48 runs against Mumbai Indians. Otherwise, his scores read as 12 vs KKR, 5 vs RR, 1 vs CSK, and 12 vs DC in their last match.
Pietersen adviced Kohli to turn of the social media and take a halt from cricket for six months to get re-energised.
"Virat Kohli needs to say 'cricket boots, for six months, I will see you later'. Turn off social media, go and get re-energised. When the stadiums are full again, you guarantee him a spot in that side for the next 12, 24 or 36 months. Tell him 'you're our guy, we know you'll deliver for us'.
"I think he is going to find it very hard to continue delivering now. His brain, as Ravi Shastri said, is completely fried," Pietersen said.
