Indian batsmen need to click in England: Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pieteren

New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen believes that if India want to do well in their tour of England from June to September, their batsmen need to click and score runs unlike on the previous tour.

India suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat in the 2011 Test series in England, where apart from the legendary Rahul Dravid, none of the Indian batsmen could really hold up the mantle for their side. This was followed by India’s 1-2 loss at home against a visiting England team in 2012-13.

“It is going to be a fantastic Test series. The last time the problem was that only Rahul got the runs. But India’s batting is good and very talented. They can score runs but if they don’t, it won’t work for India,” Pietersen, who was sacked from the England team in February, told media persons here Sunday.

India will be playing five Test matches from July 9 to Aug 19, which will be followed by five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and one Twenty20 International.

“I love watching the Indian batsmen. They are very entertaining. India have got Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Murali Vijay who have got really good technique to prevail in the English conditions,” added the 33-year-old.

The right-handed star batsman also added that the home team will definitely miss retired off-spinner Graeme Swann.

“I don’t know who will be the favourite but England are definitely going to miss Graeme Swann. He had the ability to take many wickets in the first innings and could smash through the batting order in the second,” said Pietersen, who is the captain of the Delhi Daredevils in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Swann shocked the cricketing world in December when he announced his retirement mid-series during the Ashes in Australia which England lost 0-5.

About the 2015 ICC World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, Pietersen said all teams will have a good chance at the mega event.

“All visiting teams, including the hosts, have a good chance to win the World Cup next year. The batting wickets are just fantastic in Australia. They will need to make the most of the conditions,” Pietersen said.