Kevin Pietersen
It indeed is surprising that while Royal Challengers Bangalore is there in South Africa for the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 2010, their star batsman and key bowler Kevin Pietersen does not form a part of the squad. It is inspite of the fact that Pietersen is playing domestic cricket in South Africa and would not have problem in joining the team. But nobody is talking about his presence in the squad, or rather his absence from the squad!
From the time when he had to leave the squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore midway to go and do the duty for his national side he has not been in the news at all. In fact suddenly he has gone into oblivion? He was touted as one of the best batsmen that England had in their squad in recent times, manifest from the fact that he made the fastest 1000 runs in a year and scored maximum number of centuries that any player had scored while playing for England. He has oodles of talent and tonnes of attitude, and has mannerism of rock star what with his dyed hair, and the hand-jewelry that he sports in his hands, making him an unconventional player. But he seems to have buckled under the expectations.
He had taken a high moral ground by resigning from captainship of England and there was hope that he would let his bat do the talking, but the bat could not help in the swagger that still is a part of his walk, and as a result now he has become a pale shadow of himself. He along with Flintoff were the two mavericks of English cricket squad but both seem to be on their way out from the squad.
Has Pietersen lost his confidence then? It seems so, if one were to scrutinize his performance in the test series against Pakistan. But every cricket player in his cricketing life goes through a lean patch and Pietersen is also going through the same. Even Sachin Tendulkar went through the same phase. But the Indian selectors persisted with him, and now in his second innings, at the twilight of his career, Sachin has again reached top form.
But with Ashes round the corner dropping him from the English squad is not the right thing that the English cricket selectors have adopted. Pietersen’s presence in the squad would a big morale booster for English squad, and would be a threat for the Aussies as one does not know when he can strike the form. Their indeed is a case for relook.
By: Suman Rai
Tags: Airtel Champions League Twenty20 2010, Cricket, Indian Sports, Kevin Pietersen, RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sports, Sports India
