London, Aug 31: Disgruntled batsman Kevin Pietersen has asked the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to wake up to the fact that the Indian Premier League and Twenty20 are a reality.
The South African-born batsman was not selected for the final Test of the South Africa series over a series of text messages that he had sent to his friends in the South African camp that allegedly attacked Andrew Strauss. He was also left out of the limited overs and Twenty20 matches against South Africa.
He had also explained that he did not really want to quit Twenty20 internationals, but his ECB contract did not allow him to pick and choose between 50 and 20-over cricket.
In a new interview to The Cricketer conducted before he was dumped from the team, Pietersen has criticised the ECB for their failure to embrace the tournament and the earning potential it offers players.
He said: "Test cricket is still right up there but IPL and Twenty20 cricket is a matter of fact now. Every board has accepted it apart from the ECB."
"Some part of international cricket may have to give as the IPL is not going away. No one in their right mind would turn down the contracts I've been offered. We put our bodies on the line. Why shouldn't we be remunerated well? Boards will have to keep up, it's simple," The Sun quoted him, as saying.
Pietersen, who would receive £1.3million from Delhi Daredevils plus spin-offs if he played a full IPL season, said: "The IPL is the best tournament to play in as a player, bar none. India buzzes for its players and that makes you feel special. Everything is magnificent off the field.
"The owners are passionate. They have guys to sort out restaurants for the teams; you fly brilliantly from city to city. Nothing is too much hassle."
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