Harpreet Seehra
Elite
Kevin Pietersen's one-day international future was again called into question as England prepared for their five-match series with India.
Pietersen will be absent from the series after England opted to rest him as a part of their rotational policy to manage player workloads.
Reports this morning, however, suggested the right-hander could also be excluded for the winter limited-overs tour to Asia, raising new doubts over his 50-over future.
In the winter, Pietersen denied similar reports that he was planning to retire from ODIs after the World Cup and subsequently played in the series against Sri Lanka earlier this summer.
The 31-year-old averaged just 21.25 in that series and his form in the shorter format has belied his star status, having passed 50 in just two of his past 30 ODI innings.
Those figures are in stark contrast to Pietersen's Test form - he was the leading runscorer in the 4-0 whitewash of India - and there remains little doubt about his match-winning ability.
"KP is a world-class player," England ODI captain Alastair Cook said today, before reiterating that Pietersen had been left out as a part of a rotational policy.
"We said with the management of players he has been rested for this series.
"He's part of the programme to rest players who are involved in all three formats of the game.
"As for the India series there is no guarantee for anything, because we haven't had that selection meeting."
But when asked if he would prefer Pietersen in his squad, Cook intriguingly repeated: "There's no guarantee for anything."
In Pietersen's absence, England are also set to test their options against the world champions over the next fortnight.
Ian Bell is set to be elevated to Pietersen's number four position tomorrow while 20-year-old all-rounder Ben Stokes has been called up to help fill the hard-hitting role.
"I think he (Bell) is going to bat higher than six - as he did against Sri Lanka," Cook added.
"We always have the right to be flexible in our batting order.
"With KP not here it gives someone else the opportunity to bat there. Hopefully whoever does it can take that opportunity."
After claiming the number one Test ranking and winning the World Twenty20 last year, England are aiming to add world domination in the 50-over game to their growing list of achievements.
England have targeted the need to promote match-winners, in the ilk of Eoin Morgan, in order to achieve that ambition.
Durham all-rounder Stokes has proven such a player at county level and Cook revealed England would rest regulars like Pietersen in order to look at players such as Stokes as they begin their long-term planning for the 2015 World Cup.
"It's a great chance as a side to do that," he said.
"You do need something special in the one-day game. Especially down the order with that X-factor.
"I wouldn't heap all that pressure on Ben Stokes or whoever comes in to do that role.
"You do need that ability in the one-day game to hit the ball out of the park.
"We've got four years until the World Cup (to look at players), but you also want to win every game that you play.
"There is always an eye on when we do arrive in four years' time that we have a settled and experienced squad that can cope with those conditions.
"Let's not get too carried away with four years' time. The most important thing is what we do tomorrow."
England look likely to be without off-spinner Graeme Swann for tomorrow's game after he did not train today due to a stomach bug.
Swann claimed his career-best figures of five for 28 at the ground against Australia two years ago and Cook said a decision on his fitness would be made tomorrow morning.
Despite Swann's likely absence, and the fact India were only crowned world champions in April, England are set to go into the series as favourites following their dominance so far this summer.
India have also been depleted by injury but Cook is taking little notice of the bookies ahead of the first meeting between the sides since their thrilling tie during the World Cup.
"The favourites tag to me is irrelevant. It is what happens on that pitch tomorrow," he added.
"That's the only thing that matters to us.
"We know if we play well we can put India under pressure. They will be thinking the same.
"Hopefully we can out-skill them tomorrow."
Pietersen will be absent from the series after England opted to rest him as a part of their rotational policy to manage player workloads.
Reports this morning, however, suggested the right-hander could also be excluded for the winter limited-overs tour to Asia, raising new doubts over his 50-over future.
In the winter, Pietersen denied similar reports that he was planning to retire from ODIs after the World Cup and subsequently played in the series against Sri Lanka earlier this summer.
The 31-year-old averaged just 21.25 in that series and his form in the shorter format has belied his star status, having passed 50 in just two of his past 30 ODI innings.
Those figures are in stark contrast to Pietersen's Test form - he was the leading runscorer in the 4-0 whitewash of India - and there remains little doubt about his match-winning ability.
"KP is a world-class player," England ODI captain Alastair Cook said today, before reiterating that Pietersen had been left out as a part of a rotational policy.
"We said with the management of players he has been rested for this series.
"He's part of the programme to rest players who are involved in all three formats of the game.
"As for the India series there is no guarantee for anything, because we haven't had that selection meeting."
But when asked if he would prefer Pietersen in his squad, Cook intriguingly repeated: "There's no guarantee for anything."
In Pietersen's absence, England are also set to test their options against the world champions over the next fortnight.
Ian Bell is set to be elevated to Pietersen's number four position tomorrow while 20-year-old all-rounder Ben Stokes has been called up to help fill the hard-hitting role.
"I think he (Bell) is going to bat higher than six - as he did against Sri Lanka," Cook added.
"We always have the right to be flexible in our batting order.
"With KP not here it gives someone else the opportunity to bat there. Hopefully whoever does it can take that opportunity."
After claiming the number one Test ranking and winning the World Twenty20 last year, England are aiming to add world domination in the 50-over game to their growing list of achievements.
England have targeted the need to promote match-winners, in the ilk of Eoin Morgan, in order to achieve that ambition.
Durham all-rounder Stokes has proven such a player at county level and Cook revealed England would rest regulars like Pietersen in order to look at players such as Stokes as they begin their long-term planning for the 2015 World Cup.
"It's a great chance as a side to do that," he said.
"You do need something special in the one-day game. Especially down the order with that X-factor.
"I wouldn't heap all that pressure on Ben Stokes or whoever comes in to do that role.
"You do need that ability in the one-day game to hit the ball out of the park.
"We've got four years until the World Cup (to look at players), but you also want to win every game that you play.
"There is always an eye on when we do arrive in four years' time that we have a settled and experienced squad that can cope with those conditions.
"Let's not get too carried away with four years' time. The most important thing is what we do tomorrow."
England look likely to be without off-spinner Graeme Swann for tomorrow's game after he did not train today due to a stomach bug.
Swann claimed his career-best figures of five for 28 at the ground against Australia two years ago and Cook said a decision on his fitness would be made tomorrow morning.
Despite Swann's likely absence, and the fact India were only crowned world champions in April, England are set to go into the series as favourites following their dominance so far this summer.
India have also been depleted by injury but Cook is taking little notice of the bookies ahead of the first meeting between the sides since their thrilling tie during the World Cup.
"The favourites tag to me is irrelevant. It is what happens on that pitch tomorrow," he added.
"That's the only thing that matters to us.
"We know if we play well we can put India under pressure. They will be thinking the same.
"Hopefully we can out-skill them tomorrow."
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