Virat Kohli needs to leave RCB, deserves an IPL trophy: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen

Former England captain-turned-commentator Kevin Pietersen has urged Virat Kohli to leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to achieve his dream of winning an IPL trophy following his side's 4-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2024's Eliminator, on Wednesday (May 22) in Ahmedabad. RCBentered the playoffs on the back of a six-match winning streak only to bow out in the Eliminator after failing to defend 172/8.

After the match, Pietersen asked Kohli to consider leaving RCB -- who remain without an IPL trophy since 2008 when the tournament commenced. The former English captain feels that Kohli deserves an IPL trophy and, hence, his best shot is leaving the RCB franchise (where he has been associated since 2008).

'Virat Kohli deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy'

Talking to Star Sports, Pietersen said, "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."

"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 further mentioned.

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Pietersen further cited the examples of football superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and others who left their previous clubs for better success and brighter future.

"I think it's about time Virat thought long and hard. Beckham left, Ronaldo left, Messi left, Harry Kane just left Spurs and went to Bayern Munich," he added.

Kohli ended IPL 2024 with 741 runs in 15 games, averaging61.75 with a strike-rate of 154.69. He is set to win the Orange Cap once again but his dream of lifting the IPL trophy continues.

Talking about the Eliminator, RCB were asked to bat first at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. They rode on Kohli's 33 (24), Rajat Patidar's 34 (22) and Mahipal Lomror's 32 (17) to post 172-8. RR bowlers Avesh Khan and R Ashwin combined to share five scalps. In reply, Rajasthan emerged on top in a nail-biting run-chase courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal's 45 (30) and useful knocks from Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell.

RR won by four wickets and will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2, in Chennai on Friday (May 24). The winner will head to the IPL 2024 final, to lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday (May 26) in Chennai.