IND vs ENG: Kevin Pietersen Decodes Art Of Playing R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja On Turning Tracks, Says 'Don't Play Just With Your Hands…'

IND vs ENG: For over a decade, the sanctity of India's fortress in the home Test series remained unscathed with the last disappointment coming in 2012-13. England, against all odds, scripted a triumphant chapter, securing a 2-1 victory on the Indian soil.

Fast forward to the 2016/17 tour, echoes of England's spirit reverberated once more. A fleeting victory in the opening Test hinted at a resurgence, only to be overshadowed by the eventual 1-3 series defeat.

In preparation for the upcoming Test series between India and England, former England batting maestro Kevin Pietersen shared insights into his success during the victorious tour of India. Reflecting on his exceptional innings of 186 runs off 233 balls in the second Test in Mumbai, Pietersen attributed his success to relentless defensive drills in the nets.

ALSO READ: Sania Mirza’s Father Reacts To Shoaib Malik's Wedding With Sana Javed, Says ‘It Was…’

“Getting runs is just going to be a fluke without a defence. We used to do this drill all the time in India, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and me. It's about learning not to commit yourself to the front foot; about waiting to pick the length of the ball, so you are not playing only with your hands. To do that, the drill is to hit any ball, wherever it pitches, through the off side," Pietersen told The Times in an interview.

“If you can do that and you have the wherewithal to be able to commit to a solid defence and trust it, then it allows you to loosen up," he added.

Recalling his innings against Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Pietersen revealed how he decoded Ashwin's 'doosra' by recognising his early loading technique.

“I picked Ashwin's 'doosra'. He used to load the ball at the back of his run-up, and I think he still does that now. I was 100 percent confident when he was going to bowl it and you'd see how many times I hit him over the off side. I'd see the 'doosra' at the back of his mark and, because he had a stacked leg-side field because the ball was turning so much, I'd think four or six," Pietersen said.

ALSO READ: Shoaib Malik Ties Knot With Pakistani Actress Sana Javed Amid Divorce Rumours With Sania Mirza

In terms of facing left-arm finger spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Pietersen highlighted the importance of solid technique, emphasising the need to play down the line of the ball, particularly against deliveries that skid on.

“I faced (Ravindra) Jadeja a lot. It's about technique. Jadeja is not Murali and he's not Shane Warne. He's a left-arm spinner that bowls it one way, and occasionally, gets the ball to slide on. If your technique is solid enough to play the ball that skids on, you should be fine,” the veteran middle-order batter said.

As the Test series kicks off with the Hyderabad Test on January 25, Pietersen's insights might come in handy for England in their quest to recreate the success of the 2012-13 tour in India.