Pietersen released from IPL, wants England return

Cricket365
April 6, 2015

Kevin Pietersen has signalled his intention to make a miraculous comeback to the England national team when he agreed to terminate his lucrative IPL contract with the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the upcoming season.

The South Africa born-player, who earned the last of his international caps on the disastrous 2014/2015 Ashes tour, thought he had no future with the England team after releasing a book that had a go at former team-mates, management and board administrators.

However incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves had given Pietersen hope when he said that any player that is performing in the County Championship will be considered for selection, and KP is attempting to do just that by firstly not taking up the IPL offer, then finding a county club to play for – rumoured to be Surrey.

Pietersen said: "I'm hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I've received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL. My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I'm absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible."

"I've never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England and I'm going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.

"To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour, but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection."