Ben Duckett of England reacting during the 2nd ODI match between India and England held at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, India on the 9th February 2025. (Sportzpics)Former England player Kevin Pietersen on Wednesday slammed opener Ben Duckett for saying that he is fine losing the ongoing bilateral series to India 3-0 as long as England go on to win the upcoming Champions Trophy. “This is a massive series, but the Champions Trophy is the big competition. If we lose 3-0 to India, I don’t care as long as we beat them in the final in the Champions Trophy. No one will probably look back on this series if we go and do the business in that competition,” Duckett said in a conversation with Sky Sports after losing the 2nd ODI in Cuttack.
“Goodness me, it’s pretty poor that Duckett would say that he doesn’t care if England lose today and lose 3-0 to India. Context is important when reading quotes, but those words should NOT have been said!
NEVER!,” Pietersen posted on X.
England are already 0-2 behind in the series after losing the first 2 matches in Nagpur and Cuttack. Before that, they had also lost the T20I series 4-1.
Goodness me, it’s pretty poor that Duckett would say that he doesn’t care if England lose today and lose 3-0 to India.
Context is important when reading quotes, but those words should NOT have been said!
NEVER!— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 12, 2025
On Wednesday, England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to field against India in the third and final ODI. England made one change with Tom Banton replacing Jamie Overton.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh replaced the trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy.
While Jadeja and Shami were rested, Varun missed out due to an injury. “Varun Chakaravarthy was unavailable for selection for the 3rd ODI due to a sore right calf,” BCCI said in an update.
India won the first two ODIs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
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