Kevin Pietersen slams England star over ‘disappointing’ India comments

Kevin Pietersen has slammed England opener Ben Duckett over a ‘really poor’ comment he made before the final one-day international against India. England have made a poor start to Brendon McCullum’s reign as white-ball coach, losing six of their seven matches against India. India won the T20 series 4-1 and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series ahead of the third and final match in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the third ODI, Duckett insisted he ‘did not care’ if England lost the series 3-0 – providing they triumph in the upcoming Champions Trophy. ‘We have come here for one thing and that is to win the Champions Trophy,’ Duckett explained. ‘We still believe we can do that. It’ll be completely different conditions, all different teams we are playing against. ‘If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final of the Champions Trophy. If we do that, we probably won’t look back on this if we do the business in that competition.’.

Pietersen was ‘disappointed’ by Duckett’s comments, however, and believes they ‘never should have been said’. ‘Goodness me, it’s pretty poor that Duckett would say that he doesn’t care if England lose today and lose 3-0 to India,’ he posted on X. ‘Context is important when reading quotes, but those words should NOT have been said! NEVER!’. Speaking on Star Sports ahead of the third one-day international, Pietersen added: ‘Those words should be frowned upon.

‘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 and their bowlers to get wickets, because it’s quite statement of what that dressing room thinks. ‘But if they think that just here in India they can just turn up it doesn’t matter… The results do matter.

‘You’re playing for your country. You’ve got many cricketers in England who would love to be in your position and would love to come to India, would love to play in front of these crowds. ‘It’s stuff that I as an ex-player, wish that I still had. I wish I could still play in front of these crowds. So when you hear statements like that, it just really is disappointing. ‘From England’s perspective, my goodness, I just hope there is that switch or that tap of runs that they can just turn on because they don’t seem to care.’.

India won the first two ODIs by four wickets, chasing England’s targets of 248 and 304 with ease. McCullum’s side begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 22 against Ashes rivals Australia, before further group games against Afghanistan and South Africa. Bangladesh, India, New Zealand and Pakistan make up the other group, with the top-two from each progressing to the knockout stages. For more stories like this, check our sport page.