Ex-England captain slams Jos Buttler's team, says 'you get paid to win...not play golf' following India ODI series whitewash

England lose ODI series against India 3-0. (Photo: England Cricket/X)

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen launched attack against Jos Buttler-led England side after India completed a 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series at home. He said that the visiting team did not practice since losing the first match in Nagpur and were spending most of their time playing golf. Pietersen in his furious rant also said that the England team are getting paid to win cricket matches and 'not playing golf'.

“I was flabbergasted when I heard that England had not practiced since the first game, absolutely flabbergasted," Pietersen said on Star Sports.

Yet another fabulous show and #TeamIndia register a thumping 142-run victory in the third and final ODI to take the series 3-0!Details - https://t.co/S88KfhFzri #INDvENG @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ZoUuyCg2ar
BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2025

"I get it, these are the best times of your life, play your golf, eat out at beautiful restaurants… just have the best time, really enjoy playing for England. But by crikey, you get paid to score runs, that’s why you get paid. You get paid to win games of cricket, you don’t get paid to play golf. This is not a golf tour, this is a cricket tour."

England registered a loss in the third and final ODI series in Ahmedabad by 142 runs - which is their second-biggest margin defeat against India in the format. Men in Blue vice-captain Shubman Gill who loves batting at the Narendra Modi Stadium scored a sensational ton helping India post 356 runs on the board. In reply, England could not even touch the 300-run mark as the visitors got bowled out for 214 in just 34.2 overs.

Also Read - India vs England 3rd ODI Top Highlights: Shubman Gill slams ton, Virat Kohli gets much needed fifty as hosts complete whitewash

“The day before the Nagpur game, they haven’t practiced since," Pietersen added. “There’s only one batter, Joe Root, who has had a net. But I am sorry, you cannot come to the subcontinent and keep on making the same mistakes and then decide that I am not going to practice. There’s not a single sportsman — man or woman — who goes into a series, into a career, and decides I am going to get better without practice. I am sorry, I am just so, so sorry," he added.

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Earlier, Pietersen claimed that Tom Banton, the match's top scorer and a mid-series replacement, had opted to play golf instead of preparing for the series. After the match, he further remarked that Joe Root appeared to be the only player taking the series seriously.