Former England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen has requested the Indian captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri to stick with all-rounder Vijay Shankar for their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 game against England at Lord’s on Sunday because he might ‘potentially win the game’.
Despite India being the only unbeaten team in the tournament, Vijay Shankar acquiring the much-debated number four slot has gathered a lot of criticism of late. And his return of 29 against Afghanistan and 14 against West Indies hasn’t really helped his cause either. In turn, several fans and pundits alike have expressed that Rishabh Pant should get a shot ahead of the Tamil Nadu batsman.
Read | England's World Cup on the line against India
And as India prepare for a stern England test at Lord’s on Sunday, former captain, Kevin Pietersen (sarcastically) said that the young wicketkeeper-batsman still needs time before he can get a place in the Starting XI. Taking to Twitter, the 39-year-old said, "Dear Virat and Ravi (Shastri) -- please don't drop Vijay Shankar. I think he's coming into his own and would potentially win you tomorrow's game.”
Dear Virat & Ravi - please don’t drop Vijay Shankar.
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 29, 2019
I think he’s coming into his own and would potentially win you tomorrow’s game.
Don’t think about Pant. He needs another 3 weeks prep before I think he can get into your World Cup side.
Thanks, boys!
"Don't think about Pant. He needs another three weeks preparation before I think he can get into your World Cup side."
“Thanks, boys!” he concluded.
India, after five victories in six games, sit second on the log with 11 points. A win against England would take them a point ahead of the current table-toppers, New Zealand, who are set to lock horns with Australia at Lord’s on Saturday.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @Theprojecttv
