'Should be scoring 350' - Kevin Pietersen criticizes England batters
What's the story
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has expressed his disappointment over the performance of the English batters on their ongoing tour in India.
The visitors have already lost the T20I series 1-4 and are trailing in the three-match ODI series 0-2.
In the second ODI, despite winning the toss on a flat Cuttack surface, England could only manage to post a below-par total of 304.
Mindset questioned
Pietersen questions England batters' mindset
Pietersen also criticized the English batters for not converting half-centuries into triple-digit scores.
He implied that their mindset isn't to score big runs but to secure their places in the team with half-centuries.
"It seems to me there's just a lack of hunger and a lack of desire to go and get that 130, 140," Pietersen told the broadcasters during the innings break.
"This team here should be scoring 350 today. That's what they should be doing,"
Need for ruthlessness
Pietersen calls for more ruthless approach
Pietersen further argued the batters lack the hunger to score big and aren't ruthless enough in their approach to take the team over 350.
He was disappointed after England opener Ben Duckett lost his wicket at 65 off 56 balls to Ravindra Jadeja in the second ODI.
This criticism was triggered by a mid-innings interview where Duckett said he was satisfied with giving England a brisk start alongside Phil Salt.
Century scorers
Pietersen highlights need for century scorers in ODIs
Pietersen stressed the need to have batters who can anchor an innings and score centuries, even in an aggressive playing style.
He cited the 2019 ODI World Cup-winning side as an example of a team with such players.
The former cricketer also slammed the ideology of Brendon McCullum's side, which puts entertaining the crowd ahead of winning matches.