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KP concedes to "super" India

14/11/2008

England captain Kevin Pietersen has admitted his team were second best to India throughout the first one-day international in Rajkot.

The middle-order star, who top-scored with 63 before being run out in his side's innings of 229, hailed the efforts of Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh - who scored an incredible 138 not out from just 78 balls.

Yuvraj's innings set the hosts up for a record score of 387-5 off their 50 overs - the most runs ever conceded by England in a one-day international.

And despite a deep bowling attack, Pietersen admitted his team had no answer to the India number four's performance.

"When someone comes in and plays an innings like that you just have to take your hat off to them and say well played," Pietersen said.

"I've just got to say well done, they played super cricket today."

Pietersen also admitted his side should have done better on what he called "an excellent batting pitch".

"You touch it and get it through the outfield and it would go for four. Touch it a bit harder and it'll go for six," he continued.

"We'll sit down and have a look and see where we went wrong. We need to sort it out and regroup for the next match, but we're hoping to play some good cricket in India."