With a 0-3 series defeat in the ODIs against India, England capped off a disappointing tour of India ahead of the Champions Trophy. India recorded a huge 142-run win in the the third and final ODI on Wednesday in Ahmedabad to whitewash England 3-0. Ahead of the ODIs, England also failed to counter India in the preceding five-match T20I series, losing it 1-4. Following the massive loss, England have been under fire from all corners. And, the latest attack has come from former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
“I’m sorry, but I am absolutely gobsmacked that England did not have ONE team practice session since losing the 1st ODI and losing the T20 series. How can this be? Seriously, how? I believe Joe Root was the only player to have a net this series, post Nagpur,” Pietersen wrote on X.
“There isn’t a single sportsman on this planet who can honestly say, that they’d improve without practising whilst they’re getting beaten. There also cannot be one player in that England side that can sit on the plane leaving India and saying to themselves, they did everything they can to try help England win. And for that, I’m am actually incredibly sad this evening. Losing is fine if you’re giving your best to improve every day and if England didn’t train during this series then they didn’t try. Heartbreaking for any England fan!” Pietersen stated.
In the third and final ODI, India, asked to bat, set a massive target of (357) for England, with Shubman Gill (112), Shreyas Iyer (78) and Virat Kohli (52) leading team's batting efforts. England, in reply, were bowled out for (214), with the side crashing from 126-2 to (214) in just 34.2 overs.