Kevin Pietersen backs Yuvraj Singh; talks about selection dilemma at Delhi Daredevils

Kevin Pietersen backs Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh has been under heavy scrutiny in the past few days after his slow knock against Sri Lanka in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 final, but former England skipper Kevin Pietersen insists that the criticism directed towards Yuvraj has been unfair.

“I haven’t read the newspapers here but what I have seen on twitter is that he has got a bit of stick,” Pietersen told PTI. “I think that it was unwarranted and he did not deserve this.”

“You can’t always be good. It’s very easy to say things when you stop playing. I see a lot of players talking who don’t even play international cricket and wished they were playing, have a lot of things to say. Because criticising is the easiest thing to do,” he added.

Speaking to the reporters in Delhi, Pietersen, who will be captaining the Delhi Daredevils side in IPL 7, expressed his dilemma over team selection.

“Of course, it is good to have selection dilemmas as it is quite a good thing to have. I kind of enjoy having selection dilemmas. You have got to hate the fact that you can only choose from only 11 players. You should be wanting that your squad of 16 is ready to have a go. Yes, it will be a difficult pick for the first match but we would certainly settle down with time,” he said, when asked who among Dinesh Karthik and Quinton de Kock will be picked for the wicket-keeping role.

When asked about Delhi Daredevils and their chances on winning the IPL, Pietersen said: “I don’t see any pressure. In fact, I enjoy pressure. As an individual, all you can do is to give your best. In the next six weeks, I will give my everything to Delhi Daredevils.”

“I am a firm believer in ‘what will be will be’. So people can’t demand things. People can be happy if things happen and be disappointed when things don’t happen. I am a realist in every sense. We do have a lot of expectations as we have picked up a player that can do real good things. The strength is good as we have quality Indian players and experienced overseas players. In Gary Kirsten, we have a great coach. I think we have the ability to go all the way. Having said that, I can tell you that there are no guarantees as such,” he added.

“I think my interactions with Gary has been very, very good. We kind of sing from similar hymn sheet. Gary is a very relaxed man and a great man manager. I just can’t wait to start working with him.”