Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has revealed his preferred India playing XI for their opening game upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh, which will take place on February 20.

Kevin Pietersen picks India’s playing XI: Key omissions 

His selection notably excluded pacer Harshit Rana, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, and the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Washington Sundar. Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut against England, played all three matches in the recent series. He was later named in India’s final Champions Trophy squad, replacing Jasprit Bumrah, who was initially part of the provisional squad. Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy also earned his ODI cap in the same series and eventually secured a spot in the final squad, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal. Despite these inclusions, Piete??rsen opted against selecting them in his playing XI.

Pietersen on his bowling choices

Before announcing his final XI on Star Sports, Pietersen explained his reasoning for choosing Kuldeep Yadav over Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh over Rana in the pace attack.

“Chakravarthy has been very good, but I think Kuldeep has been outstanding in terms of his performances and the numbers he has produced. I like having a left-arm seamer, so that’s why Arshdeep starts for me. The three seamers in my XI would be Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya. Then, of course, Jadeja is always my first pick, and the rest of the spin attack consists of Kuldeep and Axar Patel,” Pietersen said.

Also READ: From Jasprit Bumrah to Saim Ayub: List of players ruled out of Champio?ns Troph??y 2025

Pietersen on India’s batting order

Pietersen believed India’s top order is shaping up well for the Champions Trophy 2025, highlighting the strong performances of key batters. Speaking on Star Sports, he emphasized the importance of KL Rahul?? batting at No. 5, ensuring he gets enough time at the crease to build an innings.

“One thing they’ll be happy about is that Virat Kohli got runs today. So Rohit’s got runs. Gill, Shreyas… it’s a pretty formidable start, I tell you that. I want KL Rahul at No. 5 because I want him to face more deliveries. He came in today with 17 overs to go, which allowed him time to settle and construct his innings. I don’t see KL Rahul as the kind of batter who walks in with three overs left and smashes 30 off 12 balls. He needs time to get himself in, especially in one-day cricket, and the best way to give him that opportunity is to bat him at No. 5,” Pietersen concluded.

Pietersen’s comments indicate his preference for a structured batting lineup, with Rahul playing a stabilizing role in the middle order, rather than being used as a finisher. His views also suggest confidence in India’s top four, comprising Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, as the team prepares for the h??igh-stake??s Champions Trophy in the UAE.

Also READ: ICC anno??un??ces warm-up fixtures for the Champions Trophy 2025

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As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has shared his predictions for the top four teams likely to reach the s?emifinals. The prestigious event, set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, is scheduled to b??egin next week, with cricketing giants battling for supremacy.

India and Pakistan among Kevin Pietersen’s favourites

During a rece??nt interview with Star Sports, Pietersen confidently named India and Pakistan as two of the strongest contenders for the tournament. Given their rich history in ODI cricket and their formidable line-ups, the two arch-rivals ?are expected to be key players in the race for the title.

However, in a surprising revelation, Pietersen ruled out Australia as potential semi-finalists following Mitchell Starc’s withdrawal. Instead, he backe??d South ?Africa and New Zealand to complete the final four.

“I mean, this is so hard. It really is. But with Mitchell Starc pulling out, I’m gonna say India, Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand,” said Pietersen.

Starc’s absence comes as a major blow to Australia, who will now be without their famed pace trio in the tournament. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood had already opted out due to injury concerns, further weakening the World Champions’ chances of lifting the Champions Trophy.

Also READ: IND vs ENG – Kevin Pietersen hits out at Ben Duckett over India series remark with a fuming reply

Pakistan to begin the tournament against New Zealand

Hosts Pakistan will play the tournament opener against New Zealand at ??the newly renovated National Bank Stadium in K??arachi on February 19.

The much-awaited India versus Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai, a match that is expected to be one of the biggest highlights of the compet?ition.

Pakistan r??egistered a dominant victory over India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and now, after an eight-year hiatus, the tournament is making its return.

Also READ: Champions Trophy 2025 – Here are the complete squads of all 8 teams

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After a thrilling encounter in the T20I series in which India thrashed England 4-1 to clinch a home series win, the two sides locked horns in the ODI format. However, the results were not different, as India managed to outperform England win the first two ODI, and stake their claim on another series win against the English side. Amidst derailing performance and consecutive series opener, England opener Ben Duckett shocked the cricketing world by making a rather bizarre comment on the current India-England series. Now, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has shared a strong reply over Duckett’s remarks in a rather unpleasant manner for the English ace batter.

Ben Duckett’s bizarre remarks on England’s tour to India

The England opener remained unfazed by the outcome of bilateral ODI series against India, emphasizing that their primary goal is the Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking to The Guardian ahead of the final ODI, Duckett stated that the India series serves merely as a preparation for the ICC tournament, which remains England’s ultimate focus. He stressed that short-term results are secondary to building a team capable of competing at the highest level ??when it matters most.

“This is a massive series, but the Champions Trophy is the big competition. If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final in the Champions Trophy. No one will probably look back on this series if we go and do the business in that competition,” Du??ckett had remarked during a pre-match press conference.

Also Read: Fans go?? wild as Shubman Gill hits a dazzling centur??y in the 3rd ODI at Ahmedabad �?IND vs ENG

Kevin Pietersen’s furious reply over Duckett’s remarks

Former England captain Pietersen has strongly criticized Duckett for his surprising remarks about the India series ahead of the Ahmedabad ODI. With India securing the series in Cuttack, England’s winless run in the ODI series continued as they head into the Champions Trophy. However, Duckett appeared unaffected by the defeat, downplaying its significance and shifting focus to the upcoming ICC tournament—a stance that has drawn sharp reactions from Pietersen.

“Those words should be frowned upon. Those words would come out of your mouth in a press conference. I sort of understand his reasoning saying that losing to India would mean absolutely nothing if they win the Champions trophy. And I hope that England can turn on that tap and flick that switch that enables all their batters to get hundreds, whatever they bat, and their bowlers to get wickets whenever they bowl because it’s quite statement of what that dressing room thinks. If they think that just here in India they can just turn up it doesn’t matter. The results it doesn’t matter,” Pietersen said during a discussion on Star Sports.

England’s journey in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins with a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals Australia on February 22 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They will then face Afghanistan at the same venue on February 26, before concluding their group-stage campaign against South Africa on March 1 at National Stadium, Karachi. With only the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, England will need strong performances to ?secure their place in the knockout stage.

Also Watch: Phil Salt execute??s a breathtaking catch? to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the 3rd ODI

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During the second ODI between India and England at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, Virat Kohli and Kevin Pietersen were seen in animated conversation, ??sparking curiosity and speculation a??mong fans and commentators.

Kevin Pietersen’s candid chat with Virat Kohli

The chatter between the Indian star and the former England captain has become a notable sideshow during the s?eries.

The two were observed conversing on multiple occasions d??uring the 50-over series. Earlier, in Nagpur, Kohli showed Pietersen his injured knee, which had kept him out of the first ODI. Later, they shared a light-hearted moment tha??t led to laughter. On Sunday (February 9), while Kohli was fielding near the boundary, he was seen giggling and joking with Pietersen on the sidelines.

The nature of these exchanges has fuelled speculation on the internet. Some speculated that Kohli might be seeking information on London real estate, particularly proper??ty prices, considering his frequent stays in the city since the birth of his son, Akaay.

During his commentary, former India opener Aakash Chopra alluded to this possibility, saying, “Well, he lives abroad most of the time now, so he could well be asking him about real estate in London and some good localities there.”

Pietersen reacts to the rumours of real estate talk with Kohli

However, Pietersen has since addressed the rumours, dismissing assumptions about the conversation’s subject matter. When asked about the topic, Pietersen responded, “Never ever assume things. I can use an analogy about assumptions but won’t here.”

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma’s angrily tells DJ to shut off the music during IND vs ENG 2nd ODI

Instead, Pietersen hinted that the discussions with Kohli centred around golf. The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested he had been encouraging Kohli to take up the sport. “You’re not far wrong there, you know. I have told him [Kohli, you’ve got to start playing golf. What a great game it is,” KP told Suresh Raina, who had almost accurately predicted the conversation that took place n?ear the boundary.

#KevinPietersen lets us in on his chat with #ViratKohli on the field, during the 2nd #INDvENGOnJioStar ODI, as #AakashChopra, #SureshRaina, #DeepDasgupta & the Indian fans got curious!

What do you think the 2 were talking about? #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/MIRSDgGrB5

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 9, 2025

The interaction between Kohli and Pietersen occurred against the backdrop of India’s 4-wicket victory over England in Cuttack, securing a 2-0 series lead. Kohli, returning to India’s ODI team after almost a year, scored 5 runs off 8 balls.

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England‘s former batting star, Kevin Pietersen, has recently shared his insights on India’s cricket team, particularly highlighting the influence of Yuvraj Singh on a young talent of Indian team. Pietersen also weighed in on Varun Chakravarthy‘s inclusion in the ODI squad and England’s performance in the T20I series against India.

Kevin Pietersen praises Varun Chakravarthy’s inclusion and predicts England’s adaptation

Pietersen has supported the inclusion of Chakravarthy in the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series against England, but anticipates that English batters will perform better against him in the longer format. Chakravarthy’s recent performance in the T20I series saw him pick up 14 wickets in five games, proving to be a difficult challenge for the English side. Pietersen believes that the ODI format will allow batters more time to adapt to Chakravarthy’s bowling style, as the pressure to score off every ball is reduced.

“The English batters would be better against him in the one-dayers because they can spend more time. It’s a longer format, not every ball is an event. But I think it is a great decision (to add Chakravarthy),” Pietersen told media on the sidelines of the launch of Dram Bell Scotch Whisky.

Also READ: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and others flaunt? style as BCCI unveils Team India’s new Tri-Coloured theme jersey

T20I Series: A disaster for England

Pietersen described England’s performance in the T20I series as a “disaster”. He also pointed out that a questionable concussion substitution in the fourth T20I match significantly impacted the series outcome. Pietersen claimed that had Shivam Dube been replaced by a like-for-like player instead of Harshit Rana, England could have levelled the series.

“It was a disappointing series from England’s perspective. I think that in the fourth T20I, if the concussion substitution had been done correctly, maybe England would have got up there,” he added.

The rising star with shades of Yuvraj Singh

However, amidst England’s disappointing performance, Pietersen was particularly impressed by Abhishek Sharma. He noted that Abhishek’s batting style resembled that of Yuvraj. Pietersen went so far as to say that Sharma played the “best T20I innings I’ve ever seen“.

“Abhishek is amazing. He had the shades (of Yuvraj)…. Obviously, Yuvraj is rubbing off now on Abishek. His batting was fantastic. It was the best T20 international innings, I’ve ever seen and I said that to him afterwards,�?Pietersen concluded. Pietersen specifically praised Abhishek’s effortless strokes and his avoidance of “funky shots,” highlighting the perfection in his stroke play.

As India prepare for upcoming tournaments such as the Champions Trophy, IPL, and the five-Test tour of England, Pietersen emphasized the importance of managing Jasprit Bumrah‘s fitness. He also expressed his hope for sporting wickets in the Test series between India and England, suggesting that such conditions would favour England’s chances.

Also WATCH: Yashasvi Jaiswal plucks a blinder to dismiss Ben Duckett in Nagpur ODI �?IND vs?? EN??G

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The third T20I of the five-match series between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot ended in disappointment for the hosts as they suffered a 26-run defeat. The loss was attributed to an inconsistent batting order, with players not positioned in their natural roles. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen criticized India’s batting strategy, emphasizing that key batt??ers were not utilized effectively.

Kevin Pietersen slams India’s batting order

Pietersen criticized India’s batting approach, particularly their order adjustments, during the post-match analysis. He expressed the belief that the best batters should bat at the top of the order.

KP cited an example from the Durban Super Giants‘ match in the SA20 2025, where key players like Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen were batting lower than expected. Similar to that Pietersen pointed out how Dhruv Jurel, a top-order batter,? was moved to number 8 in the match for the sake of a left-right batting combination, even thou??gh there was little pressure on the lower-order batters.

“I didn’t like the batting order either. I’m someone who believes your best batters should bat at the top of the order. I was in South Africa last week, and the Durban Super Giants were having an absolute shocker of a tournament. But Quinton de Kock was batting at 3 or 4, and Heinrich Klaasen was batting at 6 or 7. I approached these guys and asked, ‘Why are you doing this?’ You’ve seen the same thing happen here this evening. A guy like Dhruv Jurel, who is a very good and accomplished batter, is being dropped down the order because of the left-hander, right-hander strategy. Hardik is struggling a little, and there wasn’t that much pressure on these batters to come out and score at 10 runs per over,” Pieterson said while speaking on Star Sports.

Also READ: Twit??ter reactions: England?? outsmart India in 3rd T20I to keep the series alive

Dhruv Jurel’s dismissal further highlights India’s struggles

India’s struggles were evident in the lower order as Jurel, typically a top-order batter, was demoted to number eight. His brief stay at the crease ended when Brydon Carse bowled a full toss, which the 24-year-old attempted to scoop towards the wicketkeeper. Philip Salt took an easy catch and Jurel was dismiss?ed at the score of just 2 runs facing 4 deliveries.

Though despite the defeat, India maintains a 2-1 lead in the serie?s, leaving two matches still to be played. The fourth T20I is scheduled to take place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday, January 31. While India will aim to bounce back and clinch the series with? a victory, England will be determined to level the score and push the series into a decider. With the stakes high, fans can expect another thrilling encounter between the two cricketing giants.

Also WATCH: Varun Chakravarthy completes his five-wicket haul with double st?rike in an over | IND vs ENG, 3rd T20I

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The transition from player to coach has long been a familiar path in cricket. Legends like Rahul Dravid, Tom Moody, John Wright and Garry Kirsten have embraced coaching roles, leveraging their vast experience to guide the next generation. Coaching has become an extension of their cricketing legacy, with many players finding new ways to contribute to the game after retirement. It’s no surprise, then, that fans have been curious about Kevin Pietersen‘s coaching ambitions, given his illustrious career and sharp cricketing insights.

Kevin Pietersen reveals his choice

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Pietersen revealed the international team he would like to coach. While many speculated, he might pick India, given his known affection for the country and its cricketing culture, Pietersen instead expressed a desire to coach England. Replying to a fan’s query about coaching India, Australia, or South Africa, Pietersen simply responded, “England?!”

Despite his love for Indian cricket, which he has often expressed, Pietersen’s decision reflects his strong ties to his homeland and his eagerness to contribute to English cricket.

England?! //t.co/KXxux9bPKa

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 26, 2025

Also READ: Not Shubman Gill! Former P??akistan cricketer picks th??e future Indian captain

Sweet and sour relationship with the board

Notably, Pietersen’s history with English cricket is a tale of highs and lows. He was one of England’s most explosive batters, instrumental in many memorable victories, including their first T20 World Cup triumph in 2010. However, his tenure with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) ended on a controversial note.

From conflicts with the management to fallout with teammates, including former captain Andrew Strauss, Pietersen’s career was marked by both brilliance and turbulence. Despite the controversies, his contributions to England’s success remain undeniable, and his desire to coach England signals a potential opportunity to rewrite his chapter with the ECB on a positive note.

Also READ: Fakhar ??Zaman picks 3 Indian play?ers to watch out for in the Champions Trophy 2025

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Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has revealed his favourite player in modern cricket, and it wasn’t one of the established superstars like Jasprit Bumrah or Virat Kohli.

Kevin Pietersen’s favourite current cricketer

During a question answer session on X, Pietersen was asked about his favourite cricketer in modern time and he singled out England’s young batting sensation Brook as his favourite cricketer at the moment. Brook, who has been making waves in international cricket with his agg??ressive batting style, has drawn widespread attention for his ability to dominate bowlers across formats. Although the former England cricketer didn’t shy away from mocking the young batter’s unusual excuse for poor performance.

Harry Brook(without the smog comment) 🤣 //t.co/52xeD5zO1g

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 26, 2025

England’s No.4 batter Brook has been under the spotlight in the ongoing T20I series against India for reasons beyond his on-field performances. Following a poor outing in the series opener at Eden Gardens, Brook attributed his struggles to smog, claiming it hindered visibility against Indian spinners. He expressed hope for better playing conditions in Chennai for the second T20I. The comment was seen by many as an excuse for England’s failure to handle Indi?a’s dominant spin attack, rather than an acknowledgment of the?ir shortcomings.

Also READ: Kane Williamson na??mes the ‘best white-ball player�?of the current e??ra

England batters’ struggle against spin

Brook’s struggles are reflective of a larger problem England have faced in this series – countering spin. In both T20Is so far, Indian spinners, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, have outclassed the England batters. Chakravarthy, known for his deceptive varia?tions, has dismissed Brook twice in as many games, exposing a glaring weakness in the young batter’s technique against quality spin bowling.

This has been a recurring theme for England, as they hav?e faltered consistently against India’s spin arsenal, which has dictated terms throughout the series. The inability to rotate strike or find boundaries against spinners has left England trailing 0-2 in the ?five-match series, a position that has raised serious questions about their preparation and adaptability.

Also READ: Venkate?sh Prasad names two greatest Indian players of all time

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Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has publicly expressed his interest in taking on the role of batting coach for the Indian men’s cricket team, amidst ongoing discussions within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about expanding the coaching staff. As India prepares for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, Pietersen’s declaration has generated significant buzz in cricketing ??circ??les.

Kevin Pietersen’s bold remark

On January 16, 2025, Pietersen took to social media to announce his availability for the batting coach position, stating simply, “Available!” This came shortly after reports emerged that the BCCI was considering adding a new member to head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s support staff, specifically targeting a batting coach to address India’s recent struggles with the bat. The team has faced criticism following a disappointing Test series against New Zealand and Australia, and ongoing issues with key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being dismissed in similar manners.

Available!

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 16, 2025

Pietersen’s timing is noteworthy, as he is currently in South Africa working as part of the broadcasting team for the SA20 league. His experience as a commentator and analyst has kept him closely connected to the game, and he has been vocal about his desire to contribute to cricket beyond just playing.

Also READ: Veteran England cricketers pick Yashasvi Jaiswal and Saim Ayu?b among the Fab 4 of next generation

Pietersen’s batting stats and dynamics with Gautam Gambhir

Pietersen’s credentials as one of England’s finest batters bolster his candidacy for the role. Over his international career, he amassed 8,181 runs in 104 Tests at an average of 47.28, including 23 centuries. His white-ball statistics are equally impressive, with 4,440 runs in 136 ODIs and 1,176 runs in 37 T20Is.

Despite not having formal coaching experience at the international level, his understanding of batting dynamics and ability to analyze players’ techniques could prove invaluable. If appointed as India’s batting coach, Pietersen’s relationship with Gambhir could be intriguing given both are known for their strong personalities and competitive nature. While Gambhir has established himself as a respected figure in Indian cricket, Pietersen is known for his outspoken style and charisma.

Also READ: ‘That is why I could not play it much�?#8217;: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan on his decision to choose acting over cricket

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