Former England swashbuckling batter Kevin Pietersen believes Harry Brook missing the upcoming five-match Test series against India will be a major blow to England’s chances. Brook has opted out of the Test series due to personal reasons.

Pietersen is hopeful that all is well at Brook’s end. Meanwhile, Brook has scored 1181 runs in 12 Test matches at an impressive average of 62.16. More importantly, Brook scores his runs at a blistering strike rate of 91.76 and thus he is known to take the game away from the opposition.

Brook also had a successful tour of Pakistan in 2022, scoring 468 runs in three Test matches at an outstanding average of 93.68 and impressed with his technique in the sub-continent conditions.

“Crickey, I hope alls ok with Harry Brook and his family, first and foremost! Secondly, that’s a major blow to England’s chances, because under Baz, Harry is an absolute STAR!,” Pietersen posted on ‘X’, previously Twitter.

On the other hand, ECB confirmed Brook’s omission but requested the media to give privacy to the youngster and his family.

“The Brook family respectfully requests privacy during this time. In light of this, the ECB and the family kindly request the media and the public to respect their wish for privacy and refrain from intruding on their private space,” the ECB said.

Meanwhile, England lost the previous Test series against India by 3-1 in the Indian conditions in 2021. There is no doubt that the visitors will have to be at their absolute best to savour success in the tough conditions.

India and England will take on each other in the first Test match from 25th January onwards at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR INDIA TESTS

Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood.