Former England cricket star Kevin Pietersen took to social media to share a special moment as his son, Dylan, received an autographed Indian jersey from batting icon Virat Kohli. The gesture showcased the strong friendship between Pietersen and Kohli, which dates back to their Indian Premier League (IPL) days.
Pietersen posted a picture of Dylan proudly wearing the gifted jersey, which featured Kohli’s signature along with the message, “To Dylan, with best wishes.” Expressing gratitude, Pietersen wrote in the caption, “Got home and gave @dylanpietersenphotography a gift from @virat.kohli and it goes straight on! Fits like a glove. Thanks buddy!”
A Bond Strengthened Over the Years
The camaraderie between Pietersen and Kohli has been evident for years, with the former England captain frequently expressing his admiration for the Indian batting great. Pietersen has often backed Kohli during his highs and lows, particularly when the latter faced a rough patch in form.
Their friendship began during Pietersen’s stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL from 2009-10. Although his time with the franchise was brief, Pietersen made a notable impact, scoring 329 runs in 13 matches at an average of 32.90 and a strike rate of 135.95.
Kohli Prepares for ICC Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, Kohli was recently in action during the One-Day International (ODI) series against England. After missing the first match due to a knee injury, he managed scores of five and 52 in the remaining two games.
The 36-year-old batter will now shift his focus to the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19. Kohli, who had a relatively modest 2024 in international cricket with 655 runs in 23 matches at an average of 21.83, will be keen to rediscover his best form.
India’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
India’s squad for the tournament features a mix of experienced players and young talents. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with Shubman Gill serving as vice-captain. Key players such as KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja will play crucial roles in India’s campaign.
Full Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non-traveling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube. These players will be on standby and may travel to Dubai if needed.
A Touching Moment for Dylan Pietersen
As the cricketing world gears up for another exciting ICC event, Dylan Pietersen will surely cherish his signed jersey from one of the sport’s biggest legends. The heartwarming exchange between Kohli and Pietersen further highlights the deep connections cricket fosters beyond the field.