Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has expressed his worries about the lack of ‘superstars’ in international cricket.
The flamboyant batsman called time on his professional career earlier this year after plying his trade in multiple T20 franchise leagues following his ouster from the England squad in 2014.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5, Pietersen believed that superstars and entertainers were becoming a dying breed in international cricket.
“I really struggle to see entertainers, they’re lacking in the game,” Pietersen said.
“But otherwise pure entertainers and superstars are not in the game and that’s a big worry,” he added while stating that India skipper Virat Kohli is the ‘stand out’ among the current generation.
The South Africa-born batsman believes that the lack of former superstars in coaching set-ups is another big worry.
“Maybe it’s a generational thing but the sad part is that quite a few of those former players are commentating but they are not in the game of cricket,” the 38-year-old said.
India’s Virat Kohli is the ‘stand out’ player for Pietersen currently.
“You want those superstars attached to franchises, national sides and academies so that youngsters get inspired to be those people,” he continued.
The right-hander has urged cricketing boards around the world to increase the financial stakes in recruiting such former international stars to their set-up.
“They (former stars) have to get paid more because the money for commentary, which is a pretty easy gig, is fairly good,” he stated.
“The boards have that money and they maybe need to get their fingers in their pockets.”
Pietersen remains one of the most successful Test batsmen to have played for England with 8,181 runs to his name from 104 matches. He is fifth in England’s all-time list of Test run-scorers.