My best IPL season so far, says Pietersen

Jaipur: Star batsman Kevin Pietersen played his last match for Delhi Daredevils this season against the Rajasthan Royals here on Tuesday and will go back home for England’s home series against the West Indies.

The second-highest runscorer for the Daredevils and the lone centurion for the side this season, Pietersen has batted like a true champion in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 5 and has been the bedrock of Delhi’s batting. Even though the Daredevils will have a ready replacement in the form of the smashing Australian opener David Warner, the table toppers would miss the swashbuckling England batsman. For Pietersen, it was a memorable experience to be a part of a winning Daredevils side.

“The hundred I scored against Deccan at the Kotla, the amazing crows and the chants of ‘KP’ at the ground were absolutely amazing. Those days I will never forget. The way the team has gelled has been great. To turn up from Sri Lanka and be in Delhi and be a part of the team that has been so successful and a leader of the pack is something I will cherish,” Pietersen said.

The former England batsman was part of the Royal Challengers side that reached the final of the 2009 IPL, but felt that this IPL was the best experience he has had so far and felt the contests have been of a high standard.  “I am just about to leave the IPL. The fierce competition between teams is reflected in how close the results have been. It has probably been the best IPL that has been played yet,” the 31-year-old player said. The imposing batsman added that he would continue to keep an eye on the fortunes of the Daredevils. “I will be keeping a close eye on the results.”

Warner should provide enough firepower at the top of the order but one gets a feeling that Delhi would miss KP in the middle order.