Former England captain Kevin Pietersen wants cricket boards across the globe to not schedule any international games when the ‘biggest show in town’, the Indian Premier League(IPL) is being held.
Kevin Pietersen on IPL Schedule
While many current England players claim that they have heavily benefited from playing in the IPL, Pietersen has ‘simply’ floated an idea for the cricket boards to not schedule any matches when the cash-rich league is being held.
“Cricket boards need to realise that the @IPL is the biggest show in town. DO NOT schedule ANY international games whilst it’s on. V v v simple!,” Pietersen tweeted.
Cricket boards need to realise that the @IPL is the biggest show in town.
DO NOT schedule ANY international games whilst it’s on.
V v v simple!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 2, 2021
Some of the English players are reportedly in a dilemma about their participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as their two-Test home series against New Zealand starts on June 2, a day after the conclusion of the upcoming IPL.
If the teams they represent reach the business end of the T20 league, they either have to miss the finale or skip the national duty.
Though Pakistan and South Africa are currently locking horns, Pietersen might have hinted towards New Zealand’s tour of England which will likely clash with the IPL playoffs.
England is scheduled to play a two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting June 2 while the IPL final will be played on May 30.
In March, England all-rounder Sam Curran had admitted that if CSK fails to qualify for the playoffs in IPL, he will likely be available for the New Zealand series.
Director of the England and Wales Cricket Board(ECB), Ashley Giles has already said that the ECB will not force the English players to prefer national duty over IPL.
This year, 14 England cricketers, including white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Stokes, Johnny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, and Dawid Malan are contracted to play in the IPL.
The 5 times defending champions Mumbai Indians led by Rohit Sharma face the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai on April 9, 2021.
Also read IPL 2021 full Schedule and Squad.
