Virat Kohli retaliates after Shastri-Pietersen’s on-air debate about his T20 World Cup spot: ‘I know my name is…’ | Cricket

In a season the place Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) followers had been suggested to not name him ‘king’, Virat Kohli lived as much as his decade-old moniker to reign supreme over Shikhar Dhawan’s Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Monday. Gracing the enduring M.Chinnaswamy Stadium for Bengaluru’s first dwelling recreation of the brand new season, the batting icon dished out one other batting masterclass within the Indian Premier League (IPL) to silence his critics.

A day earlier than Kohli long-established RCB‘s spectacular four-wicket win with assist from veteran Dinesh Karthik, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and ex-England skipper Kevin Pietersen had an intense dialogue about Workforce India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. Whereas Rohit Sharma is confirmed to steer India on the subsequent T20 World Cup, not a lot has been mentioned about Kohli’s candidature. Earlier than making a sensational comeback on the home of RCB, the previous India skipper skipped all the England Check collection resulting from private causes.

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What Pietersen mentioned about Kohli

Pietersen gave Kohli an honourable point out when the Englishman was on air with Shastri in Mumbai Indians‘ blockbuster conflict with Gujarat Titans (GT) on the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Pietersen argued that the T20 World Cup will want Kohli as a flagbearer of the game in the US. “The World Cup is occurring within the USA. India are taking part in Pakistan in New York. You’d need somebody like a Virat Kohli to assist the sport develop,” Pietersen mentioned.

Shastri’s on-air counter

Issuing a noteworthy response, co-commentator Shastri namedropped MS Dhoni and reminded Pietersen that India lifted the well-known trophy with a younger facet again in 2007. “It’s not about rising the sport, it’s about successful the competitors. The sport will develop wherever it must develop. What I’m making an attempt to say isn’t any baggage. And India received in 2007 T20 World Cup with a younger facet. You need youth. You need flamboyance. You need that sprint,” Shastri noticed.

‘I do know my identify is now hooked up to selling T20s…’: Kohli

Sending out a loud message along with his breathtaking knock, Kohli demolished the formidable bowling assault of the Punjab Kings at Bengaluru. Placing up a present for the hosts, Kohli performed a stroke-filled knock of 77 off 49 balls. The 35-year-old creamed 11 fours and smoked two sixes in his entertaining knock. Gathering the Participant of the Match trophy on the post-game presentation, Kohli made it clear that he was not right here simply to advertise the shortest format. “I do know my identify is now hooked up to simply selling the sport in several elements of the world on the subject of T20 cricket. I’ve nonetheless bought it I suppose,” Kohli mentioned with a smile.

Kohli is in for the cup, not for the cap

The RCB famous person has climbed to the highest spot on the IPL 2024 Orange Cap desk after slamming his first half-century of the brand new season. Nonetheless, Kohli shouldn’t be after simply caps this season. The previous RCB skipper desires to finish the long-standing title drought of the Bengaluru giants on the IPL. “I do not play for these Caps anymore. That is the promise I can provide right here — I will preserve turning up and preserve making an attempt me finest,” the previous RCB skipper continued.

Do you know?

Kohli reached his one hundredth fifty-plus rating within the shortest format throughout RCB’s conflict with PBKS. Reprieved on zero by Jonny Bairstow, Kohli accomplished his 51st half-century in 31 balls. The batting maestro is the primary Indian with a century of 50-plus scores in T20s. Kohli is positioned third and the ex-India skipper is barely behind Chris Gayle (110) and David Warner (109) within the unique membership.

Kohli was dismissed by his former RCB teammate Harshal Patel within the fifteenth over. “I attempt to give the group a blazing begin, but when wickets fall, it’s important to assess. Wasn’t the same old flat pitch. Upset I could not end the sport. The ball was within the slot however sliced it to deep level. They know I play the quilt drive properly, so they are not going to permit me to hit gaps. It’s a must to provide you with a recreation plan right here and there,” Kohli added.