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When Kevin Pietersen Owned Wankhede With A Staggering 186-Run Test Knock Vs India

Akshita Patel

When Kevin Pietersen stunned India [Source: @theringsideview/X.com]When Kevin Pietersen stunned India [Source: @theringsideview/X.com]

Back in 2012, Kevin Pietersen played a beautiful knock of 186 against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. To date, it is remembered as one of the greatest innings ever played by an English batter in Indian conditions.

Pietersen was part of the Alastair Cook-led English side that toured India in 2012 for a 4-game Test series. After the men in blue took an early lead by winning the first Test, the visitors came roaring back in the second Test held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Kevin Pietersen’s Masterclass Knocked Out India At Home

In the first inning, India put 327 runs on the board with Cheteshwar Pujara’s century (135) and Ravichandran Ashwin’s fifty (68). But in the second innings, once England lost a few initial wickets, Kevin Pietersen came out determined.

He appeared confident from the very start. While batters other than him struggled with spin, Pietersen batted freely and fearlessly. He used his feet brilliantly, danced down the pitch, and smashed boundaries with ease. His reverse sweeps, drives, and aggressive flicks left Indian bowlers frustrated.

Not just that, Pietersen shared a vital 206-run partnership with captain Alastair Cook, who scored a measured century (122 off 270 balls).

But it was the dashing and aggressive batting of Kevin Pietersen that robbed the game from India. He scored 186 runs from just 233 balls, hitting 20 fours and 4 sixes in the process. 

His knock assisted England in scoring a massive 413 runs and earning a whopping 87-run first-innings lead. England went on to bowl out India for 142 runs in the third inning due to Monty Panesar's 6-wicket-haul.

The visitors chased down 58 runs and won the match by 10 wickets, levelling the series 1-1. Pietersen's innings was acclaimed all over the cricketing world for skill, courage, and match-winning effect.