Joe Root has strongly endorsed Kevin Pietersen's appointment as a specialist mentor for England’s white-ball teams, highlighting the profound impact latter had on him during his early international days.
Addressing the media on the eve of England's third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Root looked back at his first international tour to India in 2012-13, sharing how he used to "buddy up" and closely shadow the senior batter in the nets.
“I enjoyed him as a senior player coming into the team. He was someone that I would spend, you know, I’d be shadowing all the time on that first tour of India in particular,” Root told reporters on Tuesday (September 8). “I’d try and bat with him in the nets, watch how he practised, watch how he did things, ask him for advice. And he was really open, really honest, very helpful in terms of how to get the best out of my game against spin.”
Root noted that Pietersen was exceptionally open, honest, and helpful in teaching him vital techniques on how to play against spin bowling.
The England Test captain believes that bringing that same direct, honest insight and deep tactical understanding into the coaching setup will immensely benefit the current group of players as they prepare for the upcoming white-ball assignments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“If he can offer that kind of stuff in a coaching capacity as he did as a senior player, then I think it’s really going to benefit us as a group,” Root said. “So I’m really excited to work with him.”
Kevin Pietersen has returned to the England cricket setup 12 years after his international career ended acrimoniously. However, Root emphasized that the team's environment has shifted completely since 2014, and Pietersen's forthright opinions and vast batting knowledge will serve as strong assets for a younger generation of players.
“Yeah, I think you want people to give their honest opinion,” Root said when asked about Pietersen’s reputation as a controversial figure. “Why would you get involved if you didn’t want them to give us insight into the game? He’s very knowledgeable, you know, very good understanding of batting in particular. And he’s got a huge amount of energy. So I think he’s going to be great for the group.”
Pietersen will join the England white-ball team, coached by Brendon McCullum, for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins in England later this month.
In addition, the 46-year-old will participate in the white ball tours to Australia and South Africa this winter. Next summer, he will rejoin the sides for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
“I am immensely proud to have been asked to help this team on their journey to win a World Cup in South Africa. Putting on the England uniform again for the first time since 2014 is a profound honor and a deeply special moment. We have an incredibly talented white-ball squad, and I am excited to get in the trenches and work relentlessly hard with these players to maximize their potential. To be a part of Brendon’s think tank over the next 12 months is a fantastic opportunity, and I cannot wait to get started,” Pietersen said in a statement.
