You are an absolute idiot if you don’t think that India runs the world of cricket: Kevin Pietersen

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen lauded India's significant investment in English cricket through the recent auction for The Hundred teams by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Multiple Indian investors and Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners bought a stake in teams during the recently concluded auction.

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted India's surreal impact on world cricket. He feels that the cash infusion will be brilliant for the English counties.

“At the end of the day, you are an absolute idiot if you don’t think that India runs the world of cricket and anyone arguing against that clearly is deluded. So, actually when you see what India is doing for global cricket, the amount of cash that's been injected into English cricket these last couple of weeks, it's amazing, brilliant for world and English cricket,” Pietersen said while talking to reporters at an event.

Also Read: Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG Group secure Manchester Originals stake

Pietersen also spoke about South Africa's SA20, where all six participating teams in the league are owned by IPL franchise owners. The 44-year-old hopes that The Hundred will thrive like the SA20 after the association with India.

“I think it's amazing what's happening in English cricket because there's a lot of the counties in English cricket that are really struggling. And so now with this cash injection and the majority of it, (of course, is Indian-based, it's amazing. Look at what they've done in South Africa. I was just in South Africa last week calling the SA20. All of the stadiums are full. The ownership is all IPL teams. Everybody's happy. The quality of cricket is spectacular. So, I think it can only be positive,” the 44-year-old concluded.

Mumbai Indians owners won a bid for a 49% stake in The Hundred franchise Oval Invincibles last week. Meanwhile, Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG Group, which runs Lucknow Super Giants, won the race for a stake in the franchise on Monday, February 3.