Published: Mar 12, 2016, 11:57 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 12, 2016, 11:57 AM (IST)
Kevin Pietersen, once the poster boy of England cricket team, does not fancy England’s chances of qualifying in the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 2016. The only time England clinched a major ICC trophy was in 2010; also the only time they entered the finals. And it was Pietersen who played a crucial role to help his side emerge victorious in the Caribbean. England recently suffered a 2-0 drubbing in a recently concluded T20 series at the hands of South Africa. Moreover, England’s failure to reach the knockout stage of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be etched in their memory.
Pietersen, also the former England captain, thinks the current England team do not have potential to emulate the 2010 triumph and expects India, West Indies, South Africa and Australia as the top four contenders to win the 6th edition of ICC World T20. In an interview with the Telegraph newspaper, he said, “I think England’s game changer at the World Cup has to be Eoin Morgan. He is captain and has played a lot of IPL cricket. He is used to the conditions, and with his experience batting at number four, he has got to be the game changer.”
Pietersen expects India’s offie Ravichandran Ashwin to be the highest wicket taker and star batsman Virat Kohli to be the leading run scorer in the tournament.
The South Africa born batsman made his debut for England in Ashes 2005 and was one of the prominent batsmen of the English team. However, England selectors have not picked Pietersen since Ashes 2013 for his alleged remarks against some of the English team members. Moreover, his chances of reentering the team seem remote.
Pietersen will be eligible for South Africa in 2018 and has not ruled playing for his country of birth, “Of course, I have thought about it. Lots of people talk about me playing for South Africa, but at the moment I am happy doing what I am doing.”
