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We will look at the five best innings of Kevin Pietersen, who is no longer being considered for selection by England.No other cricketer has divided opinion among the public over the last decade as much as KP. But in spite of that, there is no denial that Pietersen is simply box office.Its tough to pick five best knocksfrom a carrier which has produced so many scintillating innings to help England cross the line, but here we go:
#5 149 vs South Africa (2012)
KP was not only battling the world’s best bowling line up on the field, but he had issues off the field as well.
He was left out of the T20 World cup squad after his shock ODI retirement, and perhaps as a statement of intent he just went berserk scoring 149 off just 214 balls, an innings where he famously thrashed the world’s best bowler Dale Steyn.
He was named the player of the match, but was dropped immediately from the squad for the next Test after the infamous Text gate scandal.
#4 158 vs Australia (2005)
The most dramatic Ashes series in recent times also had a dramatic end to it. It was KPs first ever Ashes and in thefinal innings of the series he scored his first Test hundred.
The honours were even after the first innings, but the second innings display caused a concern among the English supporters as England were down at 126 for 5.
They needed at least a draw to win the Ashes, whereas Australia desperately needed to win in order to retain the urn.
Pietersen put in a rearguard display with Giles and wrote his name in history with a match saving 158 which resulted in England winning the Ashes after 18 years.
#3 151 vs Sri Lanka (2012)
England entered the series as the number 1 ranked team in the world, but there were severe doubts about their ability to perform in the subcontinent especially after the 3-0 whitewash they suffered against Pakistan just a couple of months before this series.
And those doubts increased further as they lost the first Test at Galle. But then came Kevin, who showed why he has been England’s biggest match winner since Ian Botham’s retirement.
A 165-ball 151 with six sixes in it simply left everyone awed. England levelled the series and KP was once again the man of the match.
#2 227 vs Australia (2010)
The first match of the 2010-11 Ashes ended in a draw and England took advantage right at the start of the second Test in Adelaide by bundling Australia out for 245.
The stage was perfectly set for a KP masterclass as he scored a double ton, something which he missed on the same venue during his previous trip when he fell for 158.
But the difference was, the 158 was in a losing cause and this Test resulted in a huge win for England. They went on to win the Ashes 3-1 in the end.
#1 186 vs India (2012)
You can argue all you want with the ranking order from two to five, but no arguments about this one. Kevin’s best Test knock was the one he made against India at Mumbai in 2012 helping England level the series at that time.
His brutal 186 came off just 233 balls on a rank turner which the Indians had prepared for the visiting English batsmen. He was very severe against the left-arm spin of Pragyan Ojha and that was one more reason for him to smile.
Despite Panesar’s ten-wicket match haul, KP was declared the man of the match for playing the innings that shifted the game in England’s favour.
