'Guess what, I found a way': Kevin Pietersen remembers the 'greatest innings played by a foreigner in India' | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

'Guess what, I found a way': Kevin Pietersen remembers the 'greatest innings played by a foreigner in India'

By, New Delhi
Mar 01, 2021 01:21 PM IST

India vs England: A debate has been revolving around the Ahmedabad pitch after the pink-ball Test ended in less than two full days, with many cricketing pundits citing the pitch not prepared for a Test match.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen recalled his historic hundred in Mumbai in the 2012 Test against India to explain how the Joe Root-led side could have adjusted themselves to bat on tough spinning pitches. Pietersen had smashed 186 runs on a turner eight years ago and had helped his team to a huge 10-wicket win in that game.

File image of Kevin Pietersen.(Getty)
File image of Kevin Pietersen.(Getty)

A debate has been revolving around the Ahmedabad pitch after the pink-ball Test ended in less than two full days, with many cricketing pundits citing the pitch not prepared for a Test match. But Pietersen insisted that the Ahmedabad pitch was not dangerous and explained how he went about his innings in the 2012 Test match in Mumbai.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

READ | 'All the moaning and groaning has got to stop': Viv Richards says India have pushed England out of 'comfort zone'

"Go and have a look at a lot of the balls that were bowled in Mumbai. And guess what, I found a way and I defended every single ball that was straight. Every single ball that pitched and bounced and went over my shoulder, I parked it to one side and said 'I’m never hitting that so who cares? Who cares if that goes through the top?' he told TalkSport, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Pietersen further added that despite all the criticism, the Ahmedabad pitch was not "dangerous".

"Neither that pitch in Mumbai eight years ago nor the one in Ahmedabad were dangerous. No one was worried about getting hurt on Thursday. And who cares about the ball that pitches and goes straight to slip? You are not going to hit it. But find a way to intimidate the bowler.

READ | ICC should dock India's points if pitch for next Test in Ahmedabad is same: Panesar

"How many of the England batsmen came down the wicket and punched it to mid-off like Rohit Sharma did when he batted in the first innings? How many tried to rotate strike by using the crease, coming down the wicket? They were just sitting ducks waiting to get done.

"Go and have a look at my innings that I played in Mumbai in 2012 on an absolute Bunsen burner. They say it’s the greatest innings played by a foreigner in India," Pietersen further added.

"There are only two great Test match batsmen on show here: Virat Kohli and Joe Root. There are some very good players in the rest of the batting line-up. But on that kind of wicket, when it’s going to be testing your skill and your technique and your resolve, you need better players and better players would have been able to adapt at some stage," he signed off.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On