New Delhi: After IPL team Delhi Daredevils decided not to retain Kevin Pietersen for the upcoming edition of IPL, there is big question mark on his future with England team which lost the Ashes 0-5 and Pietersen, in particularly was criticized for his lack of commitment.
The England batsman had widely been expected to be retained by the Indian Premier League franchise on Friday, with some reports suggesting it was a done deal.
But a tweet from Delhi turned that on its head, with the club saying: 'DD will not be retaining any player from the previous squad for IPL 7.
'It was a unanimous decision by the management in order to build a fresh team that our fans will be proud of DD.
Delhi's decision not to retain any of their players - Pietersen is a team-mate of the likes of Virender Sehwag and David Warner - means the England batsman now has a choice to make.
The 33-year-old can opt to enter into the auction for the tournament which starts on April 3, or stay and play county cricket with Surrey.
The latter, however unlikely, would at least endear him to those who have questioned his commitment to the England team in the wake of the Ashes whitewash at the hands of Australia.
Reports this week suggested that England team director Andy Flower wanted to call time on Pietersen's international days, with the suggestion in some quarters that the Zimbabwean had delivered a 'him or me' ultimatum
Flower responded quickly to dismiss those claims as 'totally inaccurate' and called for a 'calm and logical' assessment in the wake of the Ashes whitewash before verdicts were reached on any player.
Conspicuous by its absence in the carefully-worded statement was any kind of public support or even mention of Pietersen.
If Pietersen is still a part of Flower's plan then a decision to skip at least part of the IPL, and its riches, would be an obvious way for him to prove his England commitment and prepare for the domestic summer.
