Kevin Pietersen has defended his decision to play in the Indian Premier League only a few days after complaining of homesickness during England’s lengthy tour of the Caribbean.

The Hampshire batsman faces only a week at home when he returns from England duty next weekend before flying out to South Africa for a lucrative two-week stint with the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Such a schedule has prompted fierce criticism given his request to return home for 48 hours during the Test series having been apart from wife Jessica Taylor. But Pietersen said: “What happens in two weeks is a totally different kettle of fish and that’s the difference.”

As England prepare for Friday’s one-day series decider against West Indies at the Beausejour Stadium, Pietersen believes he will be helping England by developing his game with his participation in the IPL.

He added: “Everybody on the tour wants to go home, everybody wants to see their families but what wasn’t written was how dedicated I am to playing for England and how much winning this game on Friday means to me and the team.

“I’m going to spend a week at home with my wife and then go back to business.

“I don’t think people realise it wasn’t a case of just wanting to go home, to leave the tour and be ungrateful that I’m an England player or for being in Barbados. Everyone thought I just wanted to pack my bags and leave, but that’s not the case.”

Pietersen was signed up for a staggering US Dollars 1.5million by Bangalore, which he will earn on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of games he plays, but he has to return to England by May 1 before the first Test at Lord’s against West Indies six days later.

He insisted that financial gain was not his motivation, claiming: “It’s not a case of playing cricket for money. Yes, there is money attached to it but I’m going to learn, play with the best players in the world and it’s an opportunity to improve my game.

“I’ve always said that I’m willing to learn and I will learn in the IPL, playing with some of the best players in the world. I want to be the best person I can possibly be and the best player I can possibly be, which helps England and that’s what all the players want to do.”
Source – google.com