Pietersen advises Virat Kohli to leave RCB, AB de Villiers posts emotional note

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen said Virat Kohli deserves an IPL trophy and might need to leave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to achieve it.

Despite Kohli's impressive 700-plus runs in IPL 2024, RCB was knocked out in the Eliminator on Wednesday, extending their 17-year title drought.

Pietersen compared Kohli's situation to football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane, who left their clubs for more success. He suggested Kohli should consider moving to Delhi, where he has a home and family.

"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 againâ€æ 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 suggested Kohli should consider moving to Delhi, where he has a home and family.

"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.

"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.

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers expressed hope that RCB will come back stronger next season.

"It's always painful to lose. But as a fan, I'm proud of the boys for making us believe, even when all hope seemed lost at the start of May. I'm sure #RCB will come back stronger next year and bring home that elusive title," De Villiers wrote on X.