Kevin Pietersen slams ECB for calling back players from IPL

05/15/2017

Kevin Pietersen has slammed the ECB for recalling players from the IPL just before playoffs and took to Twitter to express his disappointment. The English duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler could have featured in the knockouts but have already departed to fulfill their international commitments.

England is all set to take on South Africa in a 3-match ODI series on home turf commencing on May 24. The Indian Premier League final is to be played on May 21 but the England and Wales cricket board have called back the English contingent from the IPL to prepare for the series which includes attending training sessions in Spain.

However, this move has been heavily criticised by former English batsman Kevin Pietersen who took to Twitter to vent out his frustration.

Absolutely PATHETIC that @benstokes38 & @josbuttler have to go drink a few beers in Spain instead of playing IPL finals!
— KP (@KP24) May 14, 2017

Ben Stokes had been a key player for the Rising Pune Supergiants throughout the tournament and heavily contributed with both bat and ball to help Pune secure the second spot in the IPL standings. The English all-rounder scored 316 runs and scalped 12 wickets for the Pune side, who will now surely struggle to fill the huge void created by Stokes' absence.

Although Jos Buttler's figures may not be as good as compatriot, the Mumbai batsman gave his side some scintillating starts throughout the tournaments which eventually turned into victories. The Englishman scored 272 runs in 10 matches for the Mumbai franchise. Luckily for Mumbai, they found a replacement for the English batsman in West Indian Lendl Simmons who welcomed the opportunity with open arms and has been smoking the ball ever since as the opener for the franchise. Simmons has scored 126 runs at an average of 44 in the 4 matches he has played which also includes two splendid half-centuries.

Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants will face each other in the first qualifier at Wankhede on Tuesday.