India vs England: ‘It’s disrespectful to fans & also BCCI’ – Kevin Pietersen slams England’s team selection
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Kevin Pieterson
The England Cricket Board‘s (ECB) selection strategy has drawn flack from former players ahead of the Test series against India. The tourists declared their side for the first two of the four Tests last week. While the likes of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes returned for the high profile series, in form Jonny Bairstow was rested. This move resting a fine player of spin didn’t go well with cricket experts.
Weighing in on the matter, former England captain Kevin Pietersen feels that the tourists should field their best side for the Test series. And by not doing so, they are disrespecting not only the fans but the hosts too. Pietersen stresses that given India’s quality, winning a Test series against them in their own den should top England’s priorities.
“Big debate on whether ENG have picked their best team to play India in the 1st Test. Winning IN India is as good a feeling as winning in Aus. It’s disrespectful to ENG fans & also @BCCI to NOT play your best team. Bairstow has to play! Broad/Anderson have to play!” he tweeted.
PICK THEM!
The swashbuckling opener suggested that the players can take rest after the IPL which will follow the India tour. Pietersen went on to reitterate that the English board should field their best side for the Test series. The fact that India are coming off a hard fought and historic Test series win Down Under only elevates the importance of winning this Test series for the English.
The tweet read, “The BEST England players will want to play as many games as possible against India, in India. PICK THEM! Then they go to IPL & earn everything they deserve. Cash is king for every sportsman. They’re a business! They can have a break after that!“
Former skippers Naseer Hussain and Michael Vaughan were the first to raise questions on their side’s selection strategies. Both Hussain and Vaughan pointed out that Bairstow is one of the best Englishman went it comes to playing spin. And slammed the selectors for resting him for the big series.
England squad (for the first two Tests): Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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