Kevin Pietersen reveals the reason behind Virat Kohli's increased strike rate

Virat Kohli gained significant runs with his slog sweep during the IPL 2024, but the renowned RCB batsman fell victim to the same shot due to a lack of execution against the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Wednesday.

Kohli, scoring 33 runs off 24 balls, seemed set for a significant innings, but his time at the crease was ended by Yuzvendra Chahal in the eighth over.

Chahal outfoxed the key RCB batsman, resulting in Kohli being caught at deep midwicket by substitute fielder Donovan Ferreira, who took a remarkable catch above his head.


After Kohli's departure, former England batsman Kevin Pietersen offered a suggestion, advising the former RCB captain to persist with the slog-sweep shot that had previously boosted his strike rate.

"You got to keep playing. You got to understand that sometimes, you're taking that risk, it's a risk for a reason," Pietersen said on-air.

"You got to keep playing it. It has elevated his game, and his strike rate. He had been struggling. It was something people had been concerned about in the middle overs."

The former English skipper also had a message for Kohli regarding the T20 World Cup, emphasizing that the batter should not abandon this shot when he transitions to playing for India.

"Kohli would be livid with himself with that dismissal. He would have wanted to build something impressive here this evening on the big occasion. You got to keep playing it. His strike rate has increased significantly this season because of that shot.

"He doesn't need to park it. He's got to keep playing that shot all the way through June," said Pietersen.