London, Feb 3: Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen on Friday (Feb 3) ruled himself out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions to be held later this month, citing a "busy winter".

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The 36-year-old Pietersen, who could only play four matches for the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG) last year before missing the rest of the tournament with a calf injury, took to Twitter to share the news.

"I won't be going into the IPL auction. My winter has been too busy with all my travel and I don't want to spend April/May away too!" the right-hander wrote.

Pietersen, who has so far been part of five franchises in the IPL, was released by RPSG in December last year and would have gone under the hammer had he decided to play this year.

After being ignored by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Pietersen continued to play domestic T20 leagues across various countries.

The IPL will be played from April 5 to May 26.

IANS