Kevin pietersen It was all KP and PK in the first two sessions of the second day. Kevin Pietersen scored his first home century in three years, the slowest of his tons, yet imposing himself on a depleted Indian attack. That England were not in a thoroughly dominant position was down to Praveen Kumar's three wickets in the hamstrung Zaheer Khan's absence. Pietersen, though, took the honours, scoring 93 of the 178 added today in what still looked like helpful bowling conditions. The way Pietersen is seen at home and by outsiders is a bit like VVS Laxman in his earlier years. When Laxman struggled to make it to the Indian team
the Australians could never figure out why. While Pietersen might be a bit of an individualist with eccentricities that don't always endear him, the rest of the world just can't figure out the scrutiny the English public and media puts him through. Come big series, tough conditions, early wickets, and he was there to score a century. Don't go by Pietersen's strike-rate of just 47, which was largely down to the in-and-out fields and gradually improved from the 30s. He dominated bowlers other than Praveen and MS Dhoni (yes, Dhoni bowled quick-arm seamers with Rahul Dravid keeping wicket). Already a three-man attack, India were practically reduced to two when Pietersen played havoc with Ishant Sharma's line and length by moving across and towards the bowler and repeatedly whipping him into the leg side. The general line was so wide not one Ishant delivery to Pietersen was pitched within the stumps. Only two were bowled full: both were edged, one wide of slips, one short of them. Ishant to Pietersen: 82 deliveries, 45 runs. Ishant bowled 24 wicketless overs.
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