NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their star player Virat Kohli faced yet another disappointment as they crashed out of the IPL 2024 with a four-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday. Despite Kohli’s consistent performances and his efforts to lead the team to glory, RCB’s elusive quest for an IPL title continues.
Following the match, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen suggested that it might be time for Kohli to consider moving to another franchise to fulfill his dream of winning an IPL trophy.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen emphasized that great athletes in various sports have changed teams to achieve their goals, and Kohli might need to do the same.”I have said it before and I will say it again — the greats of the game in other sports have left teams to go and seek glory somewhere else. When he has tried and tried so hard — won the Orange Cap yet again and done so much yet again, and the franchise fails again. I understand for the brand of the team and the commercial value he brings to the team… But Virat Kohli deserves a trophy. He deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy,” Pietersen remarked.
Pietersen further pointed out Kohli’s roots in Delhi and suggested that he should consider joining Delhi Capitals. He drew parallels with sports icons like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Harry Kane, who switched teams to achieve greater success.
Following the match, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen suggested that it might be time for Kohli to consider moving to another franchise to fulfill his dream of winning an IPL trophy.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen emphasized that great athletes in various sports have changed teams to achieve their goals, and Kohli might need to do the same.”I have said it before and I will say it again — the greats of the game in other sports have left teams to go and seek glory somewhere else. When he has tried and tried so hard — won the Orange Cap yet again and done so much yet again, and the franchise fails again. I understand for the brand of the team and the commercial value he brings to the team… But Virat Kohli deserves a trophy. He deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy,” Pietersen remarked.
Pietersen further pointed out Kohli’s roots in Delhi and suggested that he should consider joining Delhi Capitals. He drew parallels with sports icons like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Harry Kane, who switched teams to achieve greater success.
“I actually think it should be Delhi. Delhi is the place where Virat needs to go. Virat can go away and stay at home most of the time, I know he has a home in Delhi. He has a young family. He can spend more time there. He is a Delhi boy. Why can’t he go back? Delhi are as desperate as Bengaluru,” he added.
With this victory, Rajasthan Royals advance to Qualifier 2, where they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad for a spot in the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, RCB and Kohli are left to reflect on yet another season that ended in disappointment, despite flashes of brilliance from their star player.
