‘I don’t want to speak on everything’: Wasim Akram shares his perspective on the counsel offered by Kevin Pietersen to Virat Kohli.

(Source/ The Indian Express)

“He wants to win for RCB, that’s his call. That’s my opinion,” Akram said.

Once again, Virat Kohli, the star batsman from India, faced disappointment in his quest for an IPL (Indian Premier League) title. Despite his longstanding association with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), spanning 17 seasons by 2024, Kohli and his team showcased a remarkable resurgence, securing a place in the tournament’s knockout stages.

At the onset of IPL 2024, RCB struggled, clinching just one victory in their initial seven matches. However, they experienced a turnaround, embarking on a winning streak that propelled them to fourth position in the standings. Notably, despite RCB’s early exit from the competition, Virat Kohli topped the IPL orange cap standings, amassing 741 runs in 15 innings.

Yet, their impressive streak came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Rajasthan Royals, who ousted them in the eliminator of the tournament, ending their journey. Following this defeat, Kevin Pietersen, a former cricketer from England, offered his insights on how Kohli might consider a change in franchise strategy if he aspires to secure an IPL victory.

“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 told Star Sports. 

‘He wants to win for RCB, that’s his call’ – Akram on Kohli’s probable move

In response to Pietersen’s viewpoint, Wasim Akram, the former cricketer from Pakistan, stepped forward to express his disagreement. Akram proposed that it’s not appropriate for foreign players to intervene in such discussions, indicating that the decision ultimately rests with Kohli himself.

“My stance is pretty clear on this. Kevin happens to be a good friend of mine. However, I believe that foreign former players, particularly those involved in commentary, often express opinions on various matters concerning India. While I don’t have an issue with that per se, I don’t consider it a significant concern. It might hold more weight for Kohli personally. His desire to secure victory for RCB is paramount. So, what benefit would switching teams bring him? Ultimately, it’s Kohli’s decision to pursue success with RCB. That’s how I see it. I’ve learned not to weigh in on every matter,” Akram shared with Sportskeeda.