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It will be disrespectful to Indian team if England doesn’t play its best XI: Pietersen

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 1/25/2021 12:52:23 PM

New Delhi, Jan 24 Lambasting Jonny Bairstow’s omission from the England squad for Tests against India, former skipper Kevin Pietersen said that it will be disrespectful to the host team if visiting team does not put on field its best XI in the marquee series. Not only Bairstow but allrounder Sam Curran and pacer Mark Wood have also been left out of the squad. Bairstow has been rested for the first two Tests as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) player management policy, which stresses on giving adequate rest to every English cricketer in a packed calendar year, which includes 17 Tests and the ICC T20 World Cup. The 40-year-old said a win against India is similar to a victory against arch-rivals Australia and urged the selectors to play both Stuart Broad and James Anderson. “Big debate on whether ENG have picked their best team to play India in the 1st Test. Winning IN India is as good a feeling as winning in Aus. It’s disrespectful to ENG fans & also @BCCI to NOT play your best team. Bairstow has to play.