Just as the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) made it to the IPL 2017 playoffs in a thrilling manner, came the call from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that Ben Stokes' journey has come to an end as he has to join the national squad for a training camp in Spain.
Jos Buttler, too, will be a great miss for Mumbai Indians (MI), who are also in the semi-finals of the competition.
Now, Kevin Pietersen has been left frustrated with the decision of the ECB and has mentioned that the England cricket team's training camp in Spain is nothing compared to the IPL 2017 semi finals and the final.
Absolutely PATHETIC that @benstokes38 & @josbuttler have to go drink a few beers in Spain instead of playing IPL finals!
— KP (@KP24) May 14, 2017
The training camp in Spain is a preparatory camp ahead of England's three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting May 24.
"I think it's pathetic [decision by the ECB]. An absolute shambles. Stokes should be playing in the semi-final, and the final. The last week of the IPL is a huge occasion," Pietersen told Sky Sports.
"Just speak to him, speak to Jos Buttler, they'll talk about how much it has helped their development being out there. What are they going to Spain for? To field a couple of balls? He should be playing in the IPL," he added.
Stokes, who was the highest-paid player in IPL this season, provided an all-round performance and lived up to be one of the key players for RPS as he scored a total of 316 runs and took 12 wickets from 12 games.
He is the only player so far this season to score 300+ runs and take 10+ wickets.
"It's only going to be benefiting English cricket for that bloke [Stokes] to be playing on Tuesday, getting his team to a final on Sunday, and then possibly lifting the trophy. He is the kind of player that could do that," Pietersen said.
"He has had the most brilliant campaign. I think everybody knew he was going to play well. He went for a big number, but the big number didn't affect him," he added.
