Ind vs Eng ODIs: Former England great bats for struggling Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma

Question mark is being raised over the form of veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Several fans and many experts feel that both Virat and Rohit have past their prime and they are going through poor form.

However, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has defended India’s veteran duo, Rohit and Virat amid their recent struggles. Pietersen urged the fans for more respect, acknowledging that all cricketers go through difficult patches.

“It’s unfair to suggest that players who have scored as many runs as they have should retire. Yes, it’s a topic of discussion, and I understand that, but they deserve far more respect than that. I’ve faced the same challenges in my own career. Everyone has tough times. Rohit and Virat aren’t machines who score hundreds every time. Just because they had a difficult tour of Australia, does that make them bad people or cricketers? Absolutely not,” said Pietersen.

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“You have to understand, these are human beings. While people may criticize them now, when their careers are over, they will be remembered for how they made fans feel. They brought joy to the crowd. It’s not just about stats, wins, or losses,” he further said.

“When my career ended, people didn’t just talk about numbers; they talked about the emotions I evoked when I played. Both Virat and Rohit have that power to make people feel incredible. As they reach the age of 36, 37, or 38, they should be celebrated for their contribution, not criticized. Players like them deserve that recognition,” he added.