Kevin Pietersen compares Virat Kohli to Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo

Kevin Pietersen has urged Virat Kohli to “take a look at Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo” as the former India captain tries to find his best form again

Kevin Pietersen has compared India star Virat Kohli to Manchester United Forward Cristiano Ronaldowho describe the couple are “at the top” in their respective sports.

Kohli is having a hard time in the IPL so far, with the 33-year-old averaging just 20.66 and going out for three times in just ten innings. However, he showed some signs of form at half a century in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s recent clash with the Gujarat Titans, ending a five-inning streak in which he had missed 12.

Although Kohli reached the landmark, it took him 45 deliveries to get there, making it the second slowest of his 48 IPL half-century. When he finally fell out for 58 balls of 53, Kohli’s strike rate of 109.43 was his slowest in any T20.

In the end, Bangalore went 170-6 in their innings, but Gujarat chased that away in the final, leaving Kohli’s side without a win in their last three games. Despite criticism of Kohli’s slow scoring rate, Pietersen believes the 50 could help him regain his best form.

Speaking on Star Sports, Pietersen compared Kohli to Ronaldo, saying: “He has to look at Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. Two similar brands in their different teams and in their sports.

“You have Virat Kohli at the top of cricket, his brand is at the top of cricket. Cristiano Ronaldo is at the top of football.

“One plays for Manchester United and one plays for RCB and India. These are big brands and they will be the talk of the town.

“These big brands also want to maintain their status in the game through wins. Virat Kohli’s biggest attribute is how many games he’s won for India while on the hunt.

“Virat Kohli is my biggest hitter in this country because he has won so many games for India. That’s something to look at, that’s something he appreciates and is so proud of.

“That knock [against Gujarat], he would see some beautiful shots and think absolutely fantastic shots and I felt good. But I know he’s a champion, he’s a winner and I know he’d be angry that it wasn’t enough to win.”