IPL 2021: Kevin Pietersen takes a dig at South Africa scheduling

Dubai: Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Saturday said that cricket boards around the world should not schedule any cricket during the Indian Premier League season since it is cricket’s biggest tournament.

“Cricket boards need to realise that the IPL is the biggest show in town. Do not schedule any international games whilst it’s on. V v v simple!,” Pietersen tweeted.

His remarks come at a time when some of South Africa’s IPL-bound players will be leaving their national team’s ongoing series after the second ODI thereby missing the final one-dayer as well as the four T20s that follow the ODIs.

Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje (both Delhi Capitals), Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals) and Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) will be travelling to India for the tournament that begins on April 9.

While Pietersen’s obvious reference is to South African team’s cricket scheduling, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka who have no cricketers at the tournament can ignore IPL and play their international series.

Pakistan players haven’t been part of IPL after the first edition in 2008 while Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe players weren’t picked at all this season.

Pakistan will tour Zimbabwe immediately after finishing their South Africa assignment and the series will be held while the IPL is on.

Sri Lanka recently completed their assignment in West Indies and will play Bangladesh in a two-Test series later this month.