Kohli's leadership and intensity on the field will define his legacy: Pietersen

Virat Kohli's determination to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid is a reason behind his love for Test cricket, feels former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

"Knowing Virat Kohli the way that I do, I know the huge impetus he puts on following in the footsteps of his heroes. His heroes are Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and other legends of Test match cricket," Pietersen wrote in his blog post for ''Betway."

The 41-year old felt that Kohli, who has completed 13 years of international cricket recently, is always pushing his limits in Tests which is great for the longest format.

"Kohli knows that to be considered a legend of the game, he needs to deliver in this format as well as in T20. That's why he puts so much importance on this format and at a time when Test cricket needs all the love it can get, how good is it to see a global superstar so passionate about it."

Under Kohli, India reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship earlier this year and registered a 151-run victory at Lord's in the second Test against England. His energy in leading his team on the field will define his legacy, according to Pietersen.

"He values his team producing in all conditions, and so to have watched his team win in Australia and then have gone one up in England with a victory at Lord's will satisfy him hugely. You can see by his enthusiasm, intensity, and the way he rallies his troops. Test cricket still means everything to him and it's moments like this that will define his legacy," he wrote.

While heaping praise on the visitors, Pietersen described England's batting performance in the second innings at Lord's as "atrocious" as he called for big changes in the playing XI for the third Test at Headingley.

"I would make wholesale changes for the third Test. They cannot be worse than the line-up that batted like that on day five at Lord's, which was absolutely atrocious. I could bowl to that top three at the moment and come under very little pressure, and I'm 41 years of age," Pietersen said.

England on Wednesday axed opener Dom Sibley and included Dawid Malan in the squad for the third Test along with pacer Saqib Mahmood.

"Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook all need to play in that match at Headingley. Yes, there is risk, because these guys might nick off while playing aggressive shots, but they can't do any worse than the current lot."

India and England will face off in the third Test beginning on August 25.