Pietersen says English media's negative publicity to IPL 'down to lot of jealousy'

London, Apr 13(ANI): Kevin Pietersen has slammed his country's media for its lack of interest in the Indian Premier League and claimed it is down to jealousy.

"The IPL is very much struggling to find acceptance back home. It saddens me because I have had an amazing time at the IPL. It's down to a lot of jealousy I think, which is sad.t saddens me, all the negative publicity the IPL gets in the [UK] media, I don't know why," The Daily Mail quoted Pieterson, as saying.

His statement comes in the wake of the IPL getting minimal coverage in the United Kingdom.

Pietersen said he did not know why England's best players had been routinely snubbed by the IPL franchises and claimed they would be better than 'some second-rate Australians' who were playing in the tournament.

"I'd love to see more English players available for - well not only available, I would love to see them picked up because I also see some of the games being played at the moment and I just think: "Man, up here would have been lot better if the Andersons, Bresnans and Boparas were involved in the IPL," he was quoted as saying.

Pietersen is one of just two England players featuring in this year's IPL, along with Eoin Morgan, as his team-mates were largely ignored by the nine franchises at last year's auction.

Stuart Broad was also due to play at this year's IPL, but was ruled out earlier this week due to a calf injury. (ANI)