Kevin Pietersen says Ben Stokes should have been allowed to stay in India for the IPL playoffs. Kevin Pietersen says Ben Stokes should have been allowed to stay in India for the IPL playoffs.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen is critical of the ECB's decision to call back Ben Stokes from the IPL for a training camp in Spain.

It means Stokes will now miss the IPL playoffs with Rising Pune Supergiant after enjoying a "brilliant" debut season in the Indian Premier League.

The 25-year-old, who became the IPL's most expensive foreign player in history when he joined Pune for £1.7million in February, has lit up the competition with a series of impressive all-round displays.

"I think it's pathetic. An absolute shambles," said Pietersen on the ECB's decision. "Stokes should be playing in the semi-final, and the final. The last week of the IPL is a huge occasion.

"Just speak to him, speak to Jos Buttler, they'll talk about how much it has helped their development being out there.

Watch Ben Stokes' stunning catch on the boundary for Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL. Watch Ben Stokes' stunning catch on the boundary for Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL.

"What are they going to Spain for? To field a couple of balls? He should be playing in the IPL.

"I'm going to be in Mumbai for the semi-final on Tuesday and I'm excited by that as a commentator - that stadium is electric.

"It's only going to be benefiting English cricket for that bloke to be playing on Tuesday, getting his team to a final on Sunday, and then possibly lifting the trophy. He is the kind of player that could do that.

"He has had the most brilliant campaign. I think everybody knew he was going to play well. He went for a big number but the big number didn't affect him.

Stokes became the highest paid foreign player in the IPL when he joined Pune for £1.7m in February

"Cash is one thing, and I know in this country they like to talk cash, cash, cash with IPL, but for his development - have a look at the tweet that Buttler put out last night, how much he loved the experience - playing with those players, coached by Mahela Jayawardene.

"It's just incredible for your learning and your development as a player to play in these conditions. I promise you, you can learn a heck of a lot from playing in India.

"The one thing that all international players learn from is the ability to go to India, to have success in India, to have friends in India, which makes [it easier] travelling the sub-continent - which are big, big tours because the BCCI is where the money is at."

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