IPL 2017: Kevin Pietersen Criticises Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler’s Early Departure From IPL

May 14, 2017 at 9:59 PM

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IPL 2017: Kevin Pietersen Criticises Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler’s Early Departure From IPL

Former England star Kevin Pietersen has condemned his compatriots Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler’s early departure from the ongoing Indian Premier League.

England is set to play a three-match One-Day International series against South Africa later this month. However, the series starts from May 24, three days after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League but former England captain and currently the ECB Director of Cricket Andrew Strauss has refused to give the cricketers the permission to stay in India.

According to a report in The Mirror, Strauss has made it clear that he wants Stokes and Buttler to leave India for England as early as on May 14. The deadline for England players to join the squad is May 15, as they get ready for the training camp in Spain in order to prepare for the series against South Africa and then the ICC Champions Trophy.

The ODI series against the Proteas is preceded by the two warm-up games which are scheduled to be played on the 19th and 21st of May, respectively.

However, the ECB’s decision has not gone too well with Pietersen who feels that it is ‘absolutely pathetic to’ see the duo drink a few beers in the training camp instead of plying their trades in the playoffs. Pietersen took to Twitter to criticise the decision.

“Absolutely PATHETIC that @benstokes38 & @josbuttler have to go drink a few beers in Spain instead of playing IPL finals!” tweeted the former player.

https://twitter.com/KP24/status/863753679127683072

Both the players have played crucial roles this season to help their respective teams reach the playoffs. Buttler, who opened the innings for Mumbai Indians, scored 272 runs in only 10 matches with a stunning strike-rate of over 153 while Rising Pune Supergiant all-rounder Stokes scored 316 runs in 12 matches in addition to taking 12 wickets.

With Mumbai and Pune set to meet in the playoffs on May 16, both the players could have easily played the match since the series is starting from May 24 but the ECB, it seems, is not willing to take any risk with the ICC Champions Trophy just around the corner.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Chris Woakes, who is another integral part of the England team, is also likely to leave the IPL for the preparatory camp in Spain.

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