“No hunger for centuries, 50-60 runs are enough to secure the next game. If not, they’ll just spend time playing golf.” With these harsh words, former England batter Kevin Pietersen lashed out at his successors, criticizing their mindset.
According to Pietersen, today’s England batters are content with scoring 50-60 runs, knowing it secures them a spot in the next match. There’s no real drive to go bigger. And even if they miss out on selection, there’s no problem—they’ll simply pass the time playing golf or doing whatever they please! The former England captain expressed his frustration, calling out the lack of hunger for big scores.
A quick look at England’s performances in the first two ODIs against India makes Pietersen’s anger understandable. In the second match on Sunday in Cuttack, all of England’s top six batters crossed 25 runs, yet only two managed to reach a fifty—and neither made it to 70.
Opener Ben Duckett was dismissed for 65, while No. 3 Joe Root fell for 69. Phil Salt (26), Harry Brook (31), captain Jos Buttler (34), and Liam Livingstone (41) all got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
The trend was similar in the first ODI. Seven batters reached double digits, but only two got fifties—Buttler (52) and Jacob Bethell (51). Salt stalled at 43, Duckett at 32.
Pietersen, never one to sugarcoat his opinions, pointed out this issue during a discussion on Star Sports, taking direct aim at the batters’ mentality.
“It seems like there’s a lack of hunger and urgency to go for 130-140 runs. That’s what’s missing. Everyone is just too relaxed about it. Score 30-40-50 and that’s it… all good!”
“If I score 50 or 60, my spot in the next match is guaranteed. And if I don’t play, I’ll just get a break, go play golf, or do whatever I like.”
The numbers back up Pietersen’s claims. In the first ODI, England was at 170/3 after 33 overs—easily on track for a 300+ total—yet they collapsed for just 248. In the second match, they looked set for 330-340 at one stage but ended up with only 304.
Pietersen had already pointed this out during the innings break of the second ODI, stressing that England needed to push for bigger totals.
“It looks like no one is telling themselves, ‘Come on, let’s get that hundred, push to 130.’ This team should have scored 350 today.”
“Sure, 304 might still be enough to win today. They have a chance. But they need to be more clinical and push for 350-360, because they are good enough to do that.”
Pietersen’s words turned out to be prophetic. England’s 304 proved far from sufficient as India comfortably sealed the series with back-to-back wins, exposing the very flaws Pietersen had pointed out.
