IPL: Jason Roy was bitterly disappointed not to be playing in first 2 games, says Pietersen

Jason Roy was disappointed not to be involved with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), having played XI in the first two games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in the United Arab Emirates, but still viewed the situation as a great way to prepare for the T20 World Cup, former England captain Kevin Pietersen said.

Roy was left on the bench by SRH in India, even when David Warner lost his captaincy and was dropped for the final match that was held in the country before the season was postponed. He finally made his debut for SRH for their match against Rajasthan Royals on September 27 and smashed 60 off 42 balls to lead them to just their second win of the season.

“For Jason Roy to replace him and make a half-century in his first match, though, was very pleasing. We see things happening out here that you guys don’t. Roy is committed to training, committed to the warm-up for every match and has thrown himself into IPL life,” Pietersen wrote in his blog for Betway Insider.

“I spoke to him after the first two games and he was bitterly disappointed not to be playing, but he just said: ‘Listen, I’m here, and this is great preparation for the T20 World Cup’. He’d been practicing his backside off and now he’s got his chance, which is great news for Sunrisers and for England,” Pietersen added.