Pietersen Blasts England’s ‘No Practice’ Approach: ‘No One Can Say They Gave Their Best

Kevin Pietersen, the ex-captain of the England cricket team, expressed outrage in response to Shastri’s assertion, criticizing the English players for their apparent lack of dedication.

India’s cricket team delivered an impressive display in the third and final ODI against England, achieving a convincing 142-run victory in Ahmedabad and clinching the series 3-0. England struggled significantly during the series, suffering lopsided losses in all three matches. Compounding their difficulties, former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who provided commentary for the final ODI, disclosed that the England players participated in just one practice session throughout the entire series.

“From what I’ve heard, England have had just one net session this entire trip, if not any. If you’re not prepared to do the hard yards, you’re not going to improve,” Shastri had said as part of the final day commentary.

Kevin Pietersen, the ex-captain of the England cricket team, expressed his outrage in response to Shastri’s assertion, criticizing the English players for their apparent lack of dedication.

“Ravi Shastri and I were talking upstairs that these guys would’ve at least practiced in the last week or so. They’ve had one practice session, the day before the Nagpur game, they haven’t practiced since. There’s only one batter – Joe Root – who had a net. I’m sorry, but you can’t come into the subcontinent, keep making the same mistakes, and then decide I’m not going to practice,” says the former captain in an interview following England’s loss on Disney+ Hotstar.

Pietersen stated that he was “absolutely flabbergasted” to discover that the England players had only practiced in the nets once.

Pietersen also expressed similar sentiments to X following the match.

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.
There isn’t a…

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 12, 2025

“There isn’t a single sportsman on this planet who can honestly say that they’d improve without practicing 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 to help England win. And for that, I’m actually incredibly sad this evening. Losing is fine if you’re giving your best to improve everyday and if England didn’t train during this series then they didn’t try. Heartbreaking for any England fan!” Peterson writes in his post.

In the T20I series, England batsman Harry Brook commented on the air quality in Kolkata, suggesting it affected his visibility during his dismissal by Varun Chakaravarthy. Despite this, Brook struggled consistently throughout the series, leading Pietersen to voice his frustration over the perceived “disrespect” shown by the England players towards India.

“No, really. I’m gutted that I’ve to say that you disrespect Indian conditions and India so much. I’m absolutely gutted from an Englishman’s point of view. You practice, so that you leave on the flight tomorrow, knowing that I’ve given my absolute everything to win a game of cricket for England. There isn’t one person in that England dressing room that can get on the plane tomorrow – maybe Joe Root is one because he practiced – but there’s no one English player that gets on the plane tomorrow and say they gave their best to win for England. And that, for me, is sad,” Peterson adds in the interview.

Pietersen criticized England players for opting to play “golf” rather than participating in net sessions, especially in light of their recent disappointing losses.

“I get it, enjoy yourself. These are the best times of your life. Play golf, have the best of your time. Really enjoy playing for England. But by crikey, you get paid to score runs. You get paid to win games of cricket. You don’t get paid to play golf. This isn’t a golf tour, this is a cricket tour,” he adds.

Joe Root is reported to be the sole player who participated in a nets session before the third ODI, while other squad members allegedly opted for a round of golf instead.

According to Sky Sports News, the team engaged in training before the first ODI and held multiple practice sessions during the preceding T20 series.

The team did not conduct training sessions before the second and third ODIs due to travel obligations, the need to maintain player freshness, and concerns regarding injuries.