'Too many people have written him off on too many occasions': Kevin Pietersen backs Virat Kohli to decide his own future

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Feb 14, 2025, 14:22 IST

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Kevin Pietersen believes that Virat Kohli is the only one who can determine his future in international cricket, citing Kohli's ability to silence critics through his performances. Pietersen emphasised Kohli's enduring impact and aura and stated that the decision about his career longevity lies solely with Kohli. Fans and experts are keen to see Kohli's next career chapter.

'Too many people have written him off on too many occasions': Kevin Pietersen backs Virat Kohli to decide his own future

Virat Kohli and Kevin Pietersen (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen believes that only Virat Kohli can determine his future in international cricket, emphasising that the Indian batting great has repeatedly silenced his critics.
Kohli, who has faced scrutiny over his form in recent years, played a crucial knock of 52 off 55 balls in the final ODI against England after missing the first match due to a knee issue and scoring just five runs in the second game.
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Speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen dismissed the notion that others should decide Kohli’s future, pointing out the impact and aura the former India captain carries when he walks out to bat.

"He is one of the greats of the game. There have been too many people who have written him off on too many occasions. You can't write these guys off because of the aura they have when they walk out to bat. The question mark comes down to Virat Kohli," he stated.

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Pietersen further stressed that the decision about Kohli’s career longevity lies solely with the batter himself.
"The question mark doesn't come down to me, you, the selectors, the coaches, and the other players. Virat Kohli can only answer the question, in terms of how long he wants to continue, and how much fight he has to get better and to create those high standards that everybody expects from him," he added.
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With Kohli’s ability to bounce back from setbacks well-documented, fans and experts alike will be keen to see how the modern-day legend shapes the next chapter of his illustrious career.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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