Srinagar: Former England batter Kevin Pieterson has said that he is available to coach India as BCCI is looking for a batting coach for the team.
A Cricbuzz report on Wednesday, said that BCCI are considering adding a new member to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s support staff.
“…a few names are being considered, including former domestic cricket heavyweights. However, no final decision has been made,” the report claimed, giving rise to further speculations.
Pietersen, who is currently in South Africa as part of the SA20 broadcasting team, said he was “available” to take on the role of India’s batting coach.
The former England batter has been a regular commentator in the IPL and boasts an outstanding CV regarding batting credentials.
In 104 Tests, Pietersen scored 8181 runs at an average of 47.28. His 23 centuries place him third on England’s all-time list for most Test hundreds, led by Joe Root (36) and Alastair Cook (33).
Regarded as one of England’s best white-ball batters ever, the South Africa-born cricketer scored 4440 runs in 136 ODIs at an average of 40.73. He also has an impressive record in the 37 T20Is that he played for England, scoring 1176 runs at a strike of 140.
Pietersen, however, does not have any experience coaching a top-level cricket team.
The current Indian coaching staff does not have a designated batting coach. Unlike his predecessors, Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid, current head coach Gautam Gambhir decided not to keep an official batting coach in his team.