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Tag: Kevin Pietersen

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‘Biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever heard in my life… ludicrous’: ex-Aussie cricketer on Virat Kohli playing in T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli’s place in the Indian cricket team for the T20 World Cup has been a topic of much debate for the past few months now. While it has been pointed out that having Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the side will go against India’s T20 blueprint, Kohli’s numbers in the format speak for themselves: the prolific batter has only had three seasons in the IPL where he hasn’t at least aggregated 400 runs. Of the 109 times Kohli has batted for India in T20 Internationals, India have won on 70 occasions. In those outings, he has scored 2828 runs at 67.33; 15 times he was the man of the match. He is still the unparalleled chase-master. He averages 71.85 when chasing, with a healthy strike rate of 137. Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (...
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Virat Kohli has turned Indian cricketers into ‘out and out athletes’: Kevin Pietersen | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen recently lauded Virat Kohli's commitment to fitness, noting that Kohli's influence has transformed his teammates into exceptional athletes and credited him for a remarkable turnaround in Indian cricket.During his commentary stint in IPL 2024, Pietersen advocated for Kohli's inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the sport, regardless of Kohli's individual performances.Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's triumph over Punjab Kings on Monday, Kohli subtly asserted that he possesses the skills to excel in the T20 format and emphasized his desire to contribute actively to the game rather than solely focusing on its global expansion.Following Kohli...
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Virat Kohli’s dig at Ravi Shastri’s comments on his place in India’s T20 WC squad: ‘I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game…still got it I guess’

Virat Kohli on Monday took a dig at his former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and his recent comments on the ex-RCB captain’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. “I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I’ve still got it I guess,” Kohli said with a smile after being awarded the player of the match for his 77-run innings against Punjab Kings. During commentating in the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians match on Sunday, Kevin Pietersen said that the T20 World Cup in USA needs someone like Kohli to help the game grow as a global sport. “The World Cup is happening in the USA. India are playing Pakistan in New York. You’d want someone like a Virat Kohli to help the game grow,” Pietersen said. Reacting to it...
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‘I have never seen any…’: Kevin Pietersen on Hardik Pandya being booed by the Ahmedabad crowd | – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The fans appeared to have given Hardik Pandya a cold shoulder as he made his Mumbai Indians captaincy debut against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.The new MI skipper Pandya was booed by the fans when he came out for the toss while chants of 'Rohit Rohit' (former captain Rohit Sharma) reverberated throughout the entire stadium.During the toss, when Ravi Shastri introduced the captains, Pandya was met with boos from the fans.Even after winning the toss, they continued to jeer at him when he began to speak.Former England player and commentator Kevin Pietersen expressed his astonishment upon witnessing the crowd's reaction, stating that he has never seen an Indian player receive such treatment before."I have never seen any Indian player getting...
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‘He can get 100s everywhere and I think he will be…’: Kevin Pietersen hails centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal | – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen hailed rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal, who slammed a century on Saturday, stating that the young Indian batter can get hundreds everywhere the way he has been performing over the last couple of weeks.Jaiswal's magnificent century played a pivotal role as India reached a total of 196/2 at stumps on the third day of the third Test against England in Rajkot.This substantial score extended India's overall lead to 322 runs, firmly strengthening their position in the match.Pietersen took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, soon after Jaiswal's ton to share his feelings, saying, "And watching Jaiswal very closely over the last couple weeks, he CAN get 100s everywhere and I think he will be a GREAT of the game one day!"Jaiswal's dazzling...
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MS Dhoni: ‘Great Mahendra Singh Dhoni in my pocket…’: Kevin Pietersen and Zaheer Khan’s banter during India vs England 2nd Test | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former cricket stars Kevin Pietersen and Zaheer Khan engaged in a light-hearted exchange during the lunch break on Day 4 of the 2nd India vs England Test, reminiscing about their Test wickets and sharing anecdotes about their encounters with legendary players.Pietersen amusingly remarked, "You know who else I've got in my pocket here? The great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Right there, there he is next to Kamran Akmal," recalling his notable dismissal of Dhoni in a past Test match at The Oval.Responding to Pietersen's jest, Zaheer Khan humorously mentioned a recent meeting with Yuvraj Singh, hinting at Yuvraj's knack for dismissing Pietersen during their playing days."I remember him (KP) giving him (Yuvraj) a special nickname as well," Zaheer quipped, recalling the banter between the...
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‘He was chasing milestone’: Kevin Pietersen’s blunt take on Ravichandran Ashwin’s unimpressive outing in Vizag | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Stranded on 499 Test wickets after the Vizag Test, Ravichandran Ashwin's wait in joining the exclusive '500 Club' got a bit longer on Monday.Beginning the second Test at 496 wickets, Ashwin was expected to reach the landmark in this game itself but the veteran off-spinner had a below-par outing with the ball in both the innings. While Ashwin went wicketless in the first innings, he bagged three in the second.And the Tom Hartley dismissal, which was reversed to not out, stretched Ashwin's wait.As Ashwin had an unimpressive outing in the second Test, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen felt that the India veteran was chasing the '500-wicket' milestone and that in-turn put pressure on him. "Ashwin was just chasing milestone. That's why he didn't bowl as well as he could have ...
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‘Your bat has become a magic wand’: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s majestic double century draws praise from cricket icons | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Yashasvi Jaiswal's remarkable double century in the second Test against England has earned widespread acclaim from cricket legends, with Sachin Tendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kevin Pietersen among those showering praise on the young Indian opener.Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, lauded Jaiswal's "super effort" against England. On social media platform X, Tendulkar expressed his admiration for the 22-year-old's exceptional innings.Dhawan, a seasoned campaigner for the Indian team, celebrated Jaiswal's knock and referred to the opener's bat as a "magic wand." On X, Dhawan congratulated Jaiswal for his spectacular 200, emphasizing the young talent's impact on rewriting cricket history.Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was also left in awe of Jaiswa...
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Kevin Pietersen supports Shubman Gill in Test cricket | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has voiced support for Indian batter Shubman Gill, urging patience for the young talent to find his form in Test cricket. Pietersen compared Gill's situation to cricket legend Jacques Kallis, who had a slow start to his Test career but went on to become one of the greatest players in the sport.Pietersen took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his views, stating, "Kallis averaged 22 in his first 10 Tests and turned out to be arguably the greatest player to play the game.Give @ShubmanGill time to find it please. He's a serious player! #INDvENG."Gill gained recognition for his outstanding performances during India's historic series win against Australia in the 2020-21 season. However, since that remarkable series, Gill'...
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‘Sloppy is the word’: Kevin Pietersen’s outburst on Shreyas Iyer’s batting | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen launched a scathing attack on India batter Shreyas Iyer after he failed to capitalise on the start he got during the first day of the second Test against England on Friday in Visakhapatnam.Pietersen raised doubts about Iyer's desire to score runs and expected him to rise to the occasion, especially in the absence of star batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul."Listen, when Kohli comes back and other guys come back (KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja) and these are the days these boys are going to look back and go, 'oh why did I not get a hundred? I had the opportunity to get the hundred'. And when you are sloppy like that, getting out doesn't impress me at all," Pietersen said on Jio Cinema."You got to really grab the game by the scruff of its neck ...
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Exclusive – ‘He is the guy’: Kevin Pietersen predicts this Indian batter will be standout performer in ICC T20 World Cup | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Over a decade has passed since India won an ICC silverware by defeating England in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2013.In terms of silverware in T20 cricket, however, we need to move way back to the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, where the Indian team, under the shrewd leadership of MS Dhoni, emerged victorious with a win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash in South Africa.The T20 World Cup returns to the Caribbean this year. The last time West Indies hosted the shortest format World Cup was back in 2010, which was a memorable year for England as they thumped Australia to lift the title.A flamboyant Kevin Pietersen won the Player of the Tournament award, having scored 248 runs that included a stellar knock of 47 off 31 balls against a fierce A...
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Manjrekar advises Shubman Gill to incorporate Ollie Pope’s skills into his batting | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advised Indian batter Shubman Gill to adopt a technique similar to Ollie Pope's effective use of the front foot.England's middle-order batter Pope notably altered his batting approach in the second innings in the first Test against India in Hyderabad. Manjrekar, now a cricket commentator, highlighted Pope's deliberate move towards the front foot, emphasising his purposeful quest for scoring runs.Manjrekar believes that Gill, recognised for his proficiency on the front foot, should consider incorporating a similar strategy into his game.This advice underscores the strategic nature of cricket, where insights from one player's adjustments can serve as valuable guidance for others seeking to enhance their performance."There was one ver...
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Kevin Pietersen’s Masterclass on Tackling Indian Spin: Insights from the 2012 Tour | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has highlighted the importance of having a strong defense by stating that his success during the victorious 2012-13 tour of India was largely due to his unrelenting defensive exercises at the nets.One of the greatest scores by a foreign batsman on a tour of India is Pietersen's 186 off 233 balls in the second Test in Mumbai.After England was soundly defeated in the opening Test, the knock helped turn the tide and put the tourists on their path to their first series victory in India in 27 years. Since then, India have not lost a series at home."Getting runs is just going to be a fluke without a defence," the 43-year-old told Mike Atherton in a candid interview in The Times.Pietersen's reflections offer a clear picture of the potential and...
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Kevin Pietersen’s advice to Ben Stokes and Co: Pick Ashwin’s ‘doosra,’ playing Jadeja is all about technique

Last time when England won a Test series in India in 2012, it was Kevin Pietersen, who turned the tide for the visitors with his magnificent 186 on a turner in the second Test in Mumbai. England went on to win the Test series 2-1. In an interview to former England captain Michael Atherton for The Times, Pietersen opened up how he dealt Ravichandran Ashwin’s threat in that series and has some advice for Ben Stokes and co how to play the spinners on a rank turner in India. India have picked four spinners in their squad, that includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. During his knock of 186 in Mumbai, Pietersen attacked Ashwin through and over the off side and he says he managed to do it after he started picking his “doosra.” “I picked Ashwin’s ‘doosra...
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IPL superstardom of some of the players will count to England’s benefit: Steven Finn | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: IPL stars need to win over fans with exciting performances if England are to repeat their 2012 triumph in India, believes former pacer-turned-commentator Steven Finn.Since their 1-2 loss to England thirteen years ago, which Finn was a part of, India have won sixteen home series."I think the IPL superstardom of some of the players will count to England's benefit," Finn told ESPNCricinfo."Kevin Pietersen aside, that 2012 team, people weren't really superstars in India, whereas you have quite a few guys this time going over who have played in the IPL and are superstars in that. I think that will count."England's touring team includes some well-known IPL players, including Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, and Harry Brook.The Hyderabad Test will kick off England's five-match...
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‘Check them in IPL’: Kevin Pietersen on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s inclusion in T20 World Cup squad | Cricket News – Times of India

DEHRADUN: Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen feels Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli have "every chance" to be in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World 2024.The discussion around the future of Kohli and Rohit has gained prominence following India's loss in the ODI World Cup final to Australia, especially considering the depth of talent in the current Indian cricket setup.While Rohit and Kohli showcased impressive form in the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India, Pietersen emphasizes that their performance in the IPL 2024 will play a pivotal role in determining their selection for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June next year."They (Kohli and Rohit) have every chance, would have to see how they go in IPL, check them in the IPL. Because they have be...
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Shubman Gill breaks Hashim Amla’s record, becomes fastest to 2,000 ODI runs | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's dynamic opening batsman, Shubman Gill, etched his name in cricket history by surpassing Hashim Amla's record, emerging as the fastest cricketer to reach the coveted 2,000-run mark in One Day International (ODI) cricket. This remarkable feat transpired during India's World Cup match against New Zealand, where Gill's swift ascent to this milestone played a pivotal role in India's pursuit of New Zealand's 273-run target in Dharamsala.Gill's awe-inspiring journey to the 2,000-run milestone required just 38 innings, a remarkable achievement that bettered the previous record held by South Africa's Hashim Amla, who had reached the same milestone in 40 innings. Gill's accomplishment not only reflects his prodigious batting talent but also provided India with a robust start in...
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It’s an open World Cup: Brendon McCullum | Cricket News – Times of India

'Whoever starts well in WC will give themselves best chance of success'MUMBAI: Few batsmen terrorized the bowlers like Brendon McCullum did. The best part about this Kiwi is that he is still going after the rival bowlers, thanks to his Bazball theory!Besides his entertaining batting, 'Baz' is someone who will always be remembered as someone who has made the transition from being a great player to a successful coach -as is reflected in the amount of victories England have notched up since his appointment as the Test team's head coach. In an exclusive interview with TOI on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating awards here on Monday, McCullum spoke on several topics -ranging from England's chances in the Test series in India next year to of course, the 2023 ODI World Cup. Excerpts... Ho...
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Ben Stokes smashes most sixes in single Ashes series | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: England's captain, Ben Stokes, etched his name in the record books during the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval against arch-rivals Australia.During his second innings, Stokes showcased his power-hitting prowess, scoring 42 runs off 67 balls, including three fours and a remarkable six. With this single six, he achieved the record for the highest number of sixes by a batter in a single Ashes series against Australia.In total, Stokes blazed an incredible 15 sixes in the series, surpassing the previous record of 14 held by Kevin Pietersen from the 2005 Ashes series. Stokes had also smashed 13 sixes in the 2019 edition of the series.His ability to clear the boundaries also places him second on the list for the most sixes in a Test series, with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma hol...
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Jonny Bairstow’s sledging attempt at Steve Smith goes wrong at Lord’s | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Ashes series contested between England and Australia is known for its on field sledging and banter between players of both the teams. Players getting engaged in witty and provocative verbal exchanges, has become an integral part of the series' history.But the current series has been a quiet affair so far before as even Kevin Pietersen lashed out at the England players for their friendly approach against the Aussies."Now it's one thing walking in, swanning around saying 'this is a wonderful team to play in, we're creating the best environment'," he said."But this is not Ashes cricket. I've played Ashes cricket. I've played 30 matches against Australia."It's all too easy and it's all too nice. Are you telling me Ricky Ponting in 2005 is going to be talking to Geraint Jones?...