Former England batter Kevin Pietersen and former India cricketer Ravi Shastri criticized the England team for doing so few practice sessions during the current tour of India. England lost the T20I and ODI series as a result of their batters' struggles against the powerful Indian spinners throughout the tour. witnessing the Jos Buttler-led team lose to the Indian spinners in the third One-Day International in Ahmedabad.
Shastri on England team
Shastri said it was astonishing to learn that England only practised once during the tour. The former head coach of India also questioned the team's dedication to becoming better. During the tour, England only practised twice: once during the ODI series and once during the T20I 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,” said Shastri on commentary.
Kevin Pietersen on England
In addition, Kevin Pietersen expressed his opinions and questioned England's strategies for strengthening their defense against spin in front of the crucial Champions Trophy 2025. Additionally, he was upset with Tom Banton, who replaced Jacob Bethell in the squad for the third ODI. Pietersen disclosed that after arriving in India, the England batter decided to play golf rather than practice.
"The 2-hour flight from Dubai across here. He (Tom Banton) was on the golf course yesterday. He wasn't batting, and where have the issues come? The start, 1 for 60, 2 for 80. And then, what happens? None of them can play spin. And how do you improve playing spin?,” said Pietersen on commentary.
During the T20I series, Varun Chakravarthy woven a web around England, taking advantage of their vulnerability against spin throughout the tour. He was named Player of the Series after taking 14 wickets in five games. They were unable to read Ravindra Jadeja's variations in the ODIs, and he rattled them in the middle overs of the first two games, taking six wickets.
England must therefore overcome their spin problems before the Champions Trophy, which will be played on the spin-friendly grounds of Dubai and Pakistan, following a 0–3 thumping in ODIs. The Jos Buttler-led team's campaign begins on February 22 against Australia, thus they do not have much time.