They're not robots, deserve more respect: Kevin Pietersen defends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has urged fans to show more respect and empathy toward Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Amid criticism of their recent struggles, Pietersen believes that calls for their retirement are unfair and that both players deserve more appreciation for their contributions to the game.

Kohli and Rohit faced a difficult phase during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Kohli, in particular, struggled against deliveries outside the off stump, getting similarly dismissed eight times. Rohit, on the other hand, managed only 31 runs in five innings before opting to drop himself for the final Test in Sydney. Their poor form led to widespread discussions among fans, with some calling for their exit from Test cricket.

However, Pietersen strongly disagreed with these sentiments. Speaking at a promotional event, he expressed his disappointment over the backlash faced by the two Indian stalwarts.

"(It’s) unfair. How can you tell somebody who's scored as many runs as these guys, they must retire? Yes, it's a discussion and it's a topic—I get it, I understand it—but they deserve more respect than that," Pietersen was quoted as saying by PTI.

Drawing from his own experiences, Pietersen emphasized that even the best players go through rough patches.

"Having had the same challenges in my career, it happens. Rohit and Virat are not robots. They don't walk out there and get a hundred every time they bat. Maybe they had one bad Australian tour. Does that make them bad people? No. Does it make them bad cricketers? Not," he added.

'It's not all about statistics' - Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen further pointed out that cricket is not just about statistics, wins, and losses—it’s also about the emotions that players bring to the game.

"You guys need to understand that these guys are human beings. You give them bamboo now, but at the end of their careers, you look back and ask: how did they make you feel when they played? They made people feel happy."

"A Virat makes people feel amazing. Rohit makes people feel amazing. So they should be celebrated, whether they get to 36, 37, or 38. I always feel those kinds of players should be celebrated," Pietersen said.

Both Kohli and Rohit will look to bounce back when India takes on England in the upcoming ODI series, starting February 6.

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