Kevin Pietersen trolls Ashley Giles on Twitter
It is quite a well-known fact that Ashley Giles is an admirer of England cricketer Kevin Pietersen as he has spoken out in favour of the 35-year-old on a regular basis. Pietersen has returned the favour when he made statements in 2014 regarding the England Cricket Board's (ECB) decision not to appoint Giles as the England coach in Tests.
Both Giles and Pietersen played cricket together for England from 2004 (Pietersen's debut) to 2006 when Giles bid adieu to international cricket. The two worked together again in 2012 when Giles was appointed as the England Head Coach of the limited-overs squads.
However, on Monday, both former teammates were involved in some hilarious banter on Twitter after fans of Pietersen were praising the English batsman for being an inspiration and a great talent.
Pietersen is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Quetta Gladiators. Although he has not been able to replicate his form from the Ram Slam T20 and the Big Bash League, he is still being followed and admired ardently by many cricket fans.
It all started when a fan praised Pietersen as being an “asset” as a cricketer as well as a commentator. Pietersen had commentated for a PSL match on February 14. The fan tagged Giles in his tweet having assumed that Giles was part of the decision-making team when Pietersen was dropped from the England side.
@SikanderFayyaz Good to see him and great asset and great commentator. KP @KP24 Rocks ECB @Gilo Shocked @thePSLt20 @piersmorgan
— Hafiz Mohammed Rana (@hmad9rana) February 14, 2016
Giles responded asking the fan the reason he was tagged in the tweet in a ‘negative sense’, and agreed to Pietersen being a great asset.
Not sure of the relevance to me Hafiz? I agree @KP24 rocks https://t.co/Yw0PUF0oTZ
— Ashley Giles (@Gilo) February 14, 2016
Another fan from Pakistan expressed his hope and desire wishing that Pietersen would have played for his nation, in addition to the England batsman being a huge source of inspiration to him.
@Gilo @KP24 I will b too proud perhap if KP was from Pak...A real true lagend in cricket history...love you KP..u are so inspirational to me
— Faraz (@ESRFarazAhmad) February 14, 2016
To this, Giles responded with a tongue-in-cheek comment disagreeing with the fan.
Now, I wouldn't go that far! https://t.co/IkydiyIipi
— Ashley Giles (@Gilo) February 15, 2016
Pietersen, who was quiet all the while, came up with a hilarious response telling that Giles was an inspiration to him, mocking Giles’ ‘love’ for pies.
You are my inspiration, @gilo! In a pie shop...! https://t.co/OUEcXxPknm
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) February 15, 2016
Giles had a response to the statement made by Pietersen by taking a photo of his ‘performance’ on the treadmill, trying to prove that he is fitter than what Pietersen's tweet might have suggested.
Ha ha..@KP24 almost fell off the runner..thought you'd be too busy counting your blood diamonds to read my tweets.. pic.twitter.com/BNdlekPtvv
— Ashley Giles (@Gilo) February 15, 2016
Banter I think the youngsters call it...most would realise me and @KP24 get on pretty well (or did!) https://t.co/CG5JA9VT5k
— Ashley Giles (@Gilo) February 15, 2016
Pietersen responded in kind telling that Giles should probably stay on the treadmill for longer as it would help make the world a better place.
Don't get off it for a couple weeks pls, bud! The world will be a better place with you shedding a few https://t.co/lX5gnvVVkI
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) February 15, 2016