England outcast Kevin Pietersen forced out of IPL by achilles injury

David Cooper - Writer 02:57 14/05/2015
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  • Disappointed: Kevin Pietersen.

    Kevin Pietersen’s disappointing week continued on Wednesday as calf and Achilles injuries ruled him out of joining up with his side for the lucrative Indian Premier League.

    The 34-year-old South Africa-born player, who on Tuesday saw his hopes of a recall to the England set-up dashed because of what new director of cricket Andrew Strauss termed a ‘massive trust issue’, was due to finally take up his contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad and play his first match on Sunday.

    However, Pietersen suffered the injuries playing for Surrey in their County Championship match with Leicestershire – in which he scored a career-best 326 not out – and is expected to be out for two weeks.

    Pietersen last night tweeted a picture of him boarding a private jet in London with the message: “Off to Dubai. Night guys x.”

    Pietersen, who captained Delhi Daredevils last season was purchased at the IPL auction for £205,000 (Dh 1.2 million) in February and then all-owed to delay his arrival in order to impress the England selectors while playing county cricket.

    The batsman, who said he was devastated at his rejection by England, is also scheduled to play for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition in June and July.

    He has not represented England since he was sacked in February 2014. But incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves said he could be in contention for an international recall if he joined an English county and scored enough runs. T

    his dream was ended by Strauss’ proclamation, leading to an explosive reply in the Daily Telegraph. Pietersen labelled the England Cricket Board as “deceitful” in a column, signing off by confirming he would be flying out to India to honour his IPL commitments.

    Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody had been thrilled by the explosive batsman’s potential return, stating on Tuesday: “To add a world-class batsman to our squad at the business end of the tournament is a huge bonus.”

    Moody’s side sit third in the IPL table and take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday and Mumbai on Sunday.

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