What makes IPL 2020 unique for Virat Kohli? Kevin Pietersen opines

Virat Kohli is leading Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing Indian Premier League. He has been leading the side since 2013, while he is associated with them since 2008. However, he, along with RCB, is still in the hunt for the maiden IPL title.

The 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the ongoing circumstances, surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it difficult to host it in India. However, this is not the most unique feature of the tournament this season.

The tournament would continue to feature all the top players from across the globe, as it has already given a glimpse of high unpredictability when it comes to the matches. Besides, with no crowd in the stadium, things are even more challenging for the teams, as they have no one to cheer for them.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper, Virat Kohli, has failed to get off to a good start, scoring just 15 runs in the opening two matches. However, former English batsman Kevin Pietersen feels that it could be because Kohli is finding it difficult to play without the crowd, as he feeds on their energy. Nonetheless, Pietersen expects him to bounce back soon.

“He is the best of the best when it comes to batting, and has the best showmanship of the sport. But, there are no spectators, and a showman needs spectators. So, at the moment, he is not very good, and he accepts that. But, it will be very interesting to see if that graph does move and he gets used to playing. It will be the most interesting feature of this IPL to see Kohli with no crowds," Pietersen was quoted as saying to Star Sports.

“I think that I am going to stick with where I was at the start of the tournament. Talking about a guy like Virat Kohli, you are talking about his showmanship and where he likes to play the game. And, his ability to accept the energy of the ground,” he added.

“He hasn’t started very well at all. And, he accepts that, and he even said at the press conference, accepting the responsibility of some of the stuff that he has been doing. So, he is man enough to accept his responsibility and I am still very interested to see how a guy like him makes a comeback,” concluded Pietersen.

Kohli is yet to win the IPL, having been associated with the side since the inaugural season, in 2008. He has been leading them since 2013, under who the side has reached the playoffs just twice.

RCB are all set to take on defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), in their third match of the season. Kohli and co are off to a mixed start this season, having won their opener against former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), before losing to Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).