Kevin Pietersen credits Virat Kohli for young Indian cricketers’ fitness

• Kevin Pietersen lauded Virat Kohli for his exceptional fitness level.
• Kohli played an impressive inning of 77 runs from 49 balls in the IPL.
• Kohli scored his 100th fifty-plus in T20s after the laest stint against Punjab Kings.

Kevin Pietersen, a former England cricketer, expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli’s exceptional fitness level, which he believes has motivated the younger generation of Indian cricketers.

In the ongoing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings, Kohli, at the age of 35, delivered an impressive performance by scoring 77 runs off 49 balls, leading his team to their first win of the season.

Pietersen lauded Kohli, predicting that he will be remembered as one of the greatest closers in cricket history. He also credited Kohli for transforming Indian cricketers into “athletes”.

“One of the things that everyone will remember and will create the greatest memories as a player will be him finishing innings and being one the greatest finishers of all time,” Pietersen told Star Sports.

“One of the things that he has done for Indian cricket is he has turned Indian cricketers into athletes, out-and-out athletes, and while doing so, he’s not just talked the talk. He has walked the walk, and you can see that.”

Despite being 35, Kohli remains one of the fittest cricketers globally. Pietersen attributed Kohli’s fitness to his aspiration to excel.

“When he is running between the wickets, his full commitment and his energy and his desire to be the best, and he is the best. That starts before the field, that starts with diet, that starts with the energy he puts in the gym, that starts with the sacrifices that he has made to walk the walk because when you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.

“That’s what all the other players who have played under you are following you, watch you. The turnaround in Indian cricket is because of what he has done.” Pietersen said.

In a recent achievement, Kohli scored his 100th fifty-plus in T20s, becoming only the third player to reach this milestone in T20 cricket. He has scored eight centuries and 92 fifties so far, with one century and 37 fifties in international matches.

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