Pietersen blames series loss on bland Indian wickets

Bangalore, Nov 24 (UNI) England captain Kevin Pietersen, after his team was outplayed by India to clinch the seven-match ODI series 4-0 here, blamed the flat and slow Indian pitches for the unimpressive performance by his team.

Speaking to mediapersons after the 19-run loss that gave India the Hero Honda Cup here last night, Pietersen said lack of swing and bounce had let down the English players.

''This (lack of bounce and swing) is a huge disadvantage to the tourists who come to play cricket here. Indian teams are generally vulnerable to swing and bounce but they (Indian pitches) have none of it. It is a different ball game,'' he said.

India had made 166 for four in the rain affected match that was reduced to a 22 over a side and under the D-L method the target was revised to 198.

However, the England captain was gracious enough to give full credit to Dhoni and his team saying that they had received a tough boost from the Test series win against the Aussies and Sehwag made the difference.

''I think they (Indians) have been playing very well. They beat Australia convincingly and we have been beaten quite comprehensively here as well.

''Sehwag is great to watch,'' he said.

Pietersen promised a better show in the remaining matches and the two-Test series that follows thereafter.

''We will improve and work out how to put it across India, where cricket is a religion. We will keep our chins up,'' he added.

He said Owais Shah, who made 72, had almost brought the win for England but it was not to be. But his innings was a big thing that the team could relish upon, he said.

The Duckworth-Lewis method, which had resulted in the team losing the third game, had again put it in a disadvantageous situation, he said.

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