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After a disappointing performance in the T20Is, England also had a poor outing in the ongoing ODI series against India. Batting first in both the games in Nagpur and Cuttack respectively, England failed to defend the total on both occasions. Leaving disappointed with England’s poor show in the 50-over format, former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen slammed the visitors for poor planning against India.
In the second ODI in Cuttack, England posted a good total of 304 runs, but failed to defend the target as Indian batters got a flying start, with skipper Rohit Sharma smashing his 32nd ODI ton. Kevin Pietersen felt England had no answer to Rohit’s masterclass in Cuttack.
“I think the worry is how easily India chased 305 down. Okay, they lost a few wickets at the end, but that was more boredom than anything as they were trying to get the game finished," Prior remarked on TNT Sports. “Wood is bowling quick, but that isn’t enough on these wickets. You have to be accurate, execute properly, and put batters under pressure. England had no answer for Rohit," Kevin Pietersen was quoted as saying by News18.
They don’t look in great form as a team: Kevin Pietersen
Speaking further, Kevin Pietersen also said that England lacked a proper team effort in the ongoing ODI series against India. Notably while batting first in both the matches, England had a great start by the opening batters (Phil Salt and Ben Duckett) and set a momentum for a big total. However, the hosts couldn’t continue the same momentum for the rest of the innings and went on to lose regular wickets in middle overs.
“Pace on, pace off, (Mark) Wood was steaming in – but everything England tried, Rohit counterpunched. He is a class act and played a belligerent and classy innings. England got over 300, and the opening partnership is working, while Root got runs on the board. But they don’t look in great form as a team. They say you can tell where a team is at by their fielding, and there were some sloppy mistakes,” Kevin Pietersen said.
