‘His heroes are Sachin, Dravid, legends of Test cricket’: Pietersen lauds Virat Kohli’s passion for longest format

In latest column on Betway Insider, Pietersen wrote about Kohli’s perception towards red-ball cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator explained how Team India and its captain’s passion for Test cricket will help the format gain maximum reach.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has commended Virat Kohli’s fondness for the longest format of the game. The Indian captain on Monday led his team to a terrific 151-run win over England in the second Test match at Lord’s to go up 1-0 in the series.

File image of Kevin Pietersen with Virat Kohli. (Getty)

In his latest column on Betway Insider, Pietersen wrote about Kohli’s perception towards red-ball cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator explained how Team India and its captain’s passion for Test cricket will help the format gain maximum reach.

“Knowing Virat Kohli the way that I do, I know the huge impetus he puts on following in the footsteps of his heroes. His heroes are Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and other legends of Test match cricket. You can see by his enthusiasm, intensity, and the way he rallies his troops. Test cricket still means everything to him,” Pietersen wrote.

“Kohli knows that to be considered a legend of the game, he needs to deliver in this format as well as in T20. That’s why he puts so much importance on this format and at a time when Test cricket needs all the love it can get, how good is it to see a global superstar so passionate about it.

“He values his team producing in all conditions, and so to have watched his team win in Australia and then have gone one up in England with a victory at Lord’s will satisfy him hugely,” he added.

This was the first time when Team India won a Test match at the home of cricket under the leadership of Virat Kohli. It was his pace quartet that excelled in tough English conditions and helped the team register a win to remember for ages.

Pietersen was moved by the way India came from behind on the final day and changed the face of the game.

“It’s very difficult for subcontinental teams to come to England and perform, but they would probably be 2-0 up after two matches if it weren’t for the rain at Trent Bridge. The way that Mohammed Siraj bowled on day five summed it up – intensity, heart and quality. It’s amazing for Test cricket that India – who are the number one brand in the game – are so vocal and so passionate about it. It all bodes well for the format,” Pietersen concluded.