Top 5 Kevin Pietersen knocks in international cricket

Kevin Pietersen's (commonly known as KP) career was full of controversies, but, he will go down as one of the greatest England players of the 21st century. He had a swagger, which he carried both on and off the field.

The South African-born player made his debut for England in 2004 in an ODI against Zimbabwe. But it was the 2005 Ashes series that proved to be the launch pad for Pietersen’s career. Pietersen was a player, who was in the opposition’s face all the time. He was one England batsman, bowlers hated bowling at.

However, after a poor Ashes series in 2013/14 Down Under, he was axed from the team and never returned as the differences between the right-hander and the England Cricket Board kept growing. He continued to play County cricket, and in various T20 leagues around the world.

On March 16, 2018 (Friday), a day after Quetta Gladiators crashed out of the PSL playoff race, Kevin Pietersen announced his retirement and tweeted “BOOTS UP! Thank you!”

BOOTS UP! Thank you! 😍

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 16, 2018

Thus, let’s have a look back at 5 best knocks by Pietersen.

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#5 47 vs Australia (2010) – T20I

Kevin Pietersen was brilliant in the World T20 in 2010

A lot of people might argue that Kevin Pietersen has played better T20I knocks in his career, but the significance of this 47-run innings was huge.

England had never won an ICC tournament. They had reached three World Cup finals and a Champions Trophy final but failed to win any of them. In the 2010 World T20, England started off with a loss to the West Indies but gained momentum towards the end of the tournament.

Pietersen had scored 201 runs in 5 games at an average of 67 in the tournament. In the final, England bowlers bowled very well and restricted Australia to 147. It was a final of an ICC tournament, Australia had put runs on the board and at 7/1, England looked a little nervous.

However, Pietersen strode out to the middle and stroked a brilliant 47 off 31 deliveries to ease off the pressure. He gave good company to Craig Kieswetter (who top-scored with 63) as they shared a 111-run partnership for the second wicket. Pietersen’s 47 comprised of 4 fours and a six as he helped England lift their first-ever ICC title. He was also named the Man of the Tournament for his consistent performances.

#4 130 vs Pakistan (2012) – ODI

Pietersen single-handedly took England home

In 2012, England were whitewashed by Pakistan in the 3-Test match series. However, in the ODI series, England came back storming and won the first three ODIs.

In the fourth ODI, Pakistan won the toss and batted first. A disciplined effort from England bowlers, kept the hosts down to 237. Chasing a tricky total, Pietersen opened the batting and lost his partner Alastair Cook on the second ball of the innings. The visitors were further reduced to 68/4 in the 16th over.

However, Pietersen controlled the innings superbly and scored 130 off 153 balls. He struck 12 fours and 2 sixes in his innings. He single-handedly took England home and helped the visitors to a 4-0 series win over Pakistan.

#3 100* vs South Africa (2005) – ODI

Pietersen didn't get any support from the other end as England fell short by 7 runs

In 2005, England were battling hard to keep the 7-match ODI series alive against South Africa. After winning the first game and tying the second, England lost back-to-back games to be 2-1 down after four games.

In the 5th ODI, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. They posted a big total of 311. Graeme Smith scored a hundred (115) and Justin Kemp scored 80, while others chipped in with some useful contributions. Chasing anything over 300 was never going to be easy, but England were up for the fight.

England started off well but were reduced to 117/3 and at that moment Kevin Pietersen walked in. He gave his skipper Michael Vaughan very good company as the duo added 62 runs for the fourth wicket. But the wicket of Vaughan was a big blow for England.

However, Pietersen continued from his end even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals on the other end. He took the attack to the South African bowlers and scored a scintillating 100 off just 69 balls. His innings comprised of 7 fours and 4 sixes.

However, the South African-born didn’t find any support from the other end and his brilliant knock went in vain as England lost by 7 runs, trailing 1-3 in the series.

#2 158 vs Australia (2005) – Test

The 2005 Ashes was a breakthrough series for Pietersen

The Ashes 2005 was one of the most famous and the best series England and Australia have ever played. That series will also be remembered for unearthing England’s superstar, Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen made his debut in the first Test of the 2005 Ashes series at Lord’s. He was England’s shining light in that Test as he struck twin fifties (57 and 64 not out) and was the only England batsman who could handle the pressure. Come the fifth Test with England leading 2-1, Pietersen had already scored 301 runs in 4 Test matches.

In the fifth Test, England batted first after winning the toss and posted 373. Australia, in reply, reached 367. With the Ashes on the line and England reeling at 67/3, Pietersen produced one of the most memorable Ashes hundreds. He counter-attacked and scored freely against the likes of Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Shaun Tait.

Pietersen scored 158 and denied Australia a shot at victory as the game ended in a draw.

#1 186 vs India (2012) - Test

Pietersen turned the series on its head as he scored 186 to help England take a vital first-innings lead

England’s tour to India in 2012 was a historic one. They won a series in India after 28 years and that too after being 1-0 down.

After getting a thrashing at India's hands in Ahmedabad, where the spinners were all over England, the visitors kept the hosts down to just 327. England started well but two quick wickets pushed them on the backfoot. They were 68/2 and with Pragyan Ojha picking up both wickets, it seemed like the English team would crumble against spin once again.

But it was not to be. Pietersen struck a magnificent counter-attacking 186 to put India in a spot of bother. He played 233 deliveries and hit 20 fours and 4 sixes. He found an able partner in Alastair Cook, who scored 122.

Pietersen, along with Cook, stretched England’s first innings total to 413. India couldn’t cope up with the spin and bounce Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann generated as they were bowled out for 142 and gave England a target of 57, which they completed without any problems.

It was Pietersen’s innings that turned the game in England’s favour and this knock was possibly a series-defining knock.