Former England batter Kevin Pietersen believed that Virat Kohli’s sublime fitness level has been a source of inspiration for young Indian generation.

Kohli starred in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings where the 35-year-old scored 77 runs on 49 balls and guided his team to their first victory of the new season.

Pietersen praised Kohli, saying that he will be remembered as one of the greatest finishers of all time before crediting him for turning Indian cricketers into “athletes”.

“One of the things that everyone will remember and will create the greatest memories as a player will be him finishing innings and being one the greatest finishers of all time,” Pietersen said in an interview.

“One of the things that he has done for Indian cricket is he has turned Indian cricketers into athletes, out-and-out athletes, and while doing so, he’s not just talked the talk. He has walked the walk, and you can see that.”

Kohli is still one of the fittest cricketers in the world at the age of 35. Pietersen weighed in on Kohli’s fitness saying it comes from his desire to be the best.

“When he is running between the wickets, his full commitment and his energy and his desire to be the best, and he is the best. That starts before the field, that starts with diet, that starts with the energy he puts in the gym, that starts with the sacrifices that he has made to walk the walk because when you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.

“That’s what all the other players who have played under you are following you, watch you. The turnaround in Indian cricket is because of what he has done.” Pietersen said.

Earlier, Kohli recorded his 100th fifty-plus score in T20s and became just the third batter to do so in T20 cricket. The 35-year-old has managed eight centuries and 92 fifties. Out of these, one century and 37 fifties have come in internationals.