IND v ENG 2021: "Ben Stokes should be batting at no.4, he is wasted at no. 6," says Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen also wants to see Jonny Bairstow open the innings in T20Is.

Jonny Bairstow | Getty

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has slammed England for wasting all-rounder Ben Stokes as a no. 6 batsman and a part-time bowler.

By the time Ben Stokes comes out to bat at No. 6, there are not too many deliveries left for him to score runs off. A batsman of a high caliber needs to bat higher in the line-up to be able to have enough scoring opportunities in T20 cricket.

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Pietersen believes that Stokes the batsman is completely wasted by England if he comes in to bat 4 down. Also, he wants Jonny Bairstow to open the innings in T20 cricket and not bat down the order. The 40-year-old wants Stokes to bat at No. 4 if he doesn't open.

Kevin Pietersen tweeted, "Ben Stokes is completely wasted at 6 as a batter and bowling part time. Bairstow in T20’s is an opener. If he doesn’t open, Stokes bats 4!"

These might be two of the reasons that cost England the recently-concluded five-match T20I series against India after being 2-1 up after three games.

 
 

By Sameer Deodhar - 21 Mar, 2021

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