'I never thought I'd hear you squash entertainment in sport' - Pietersen responds to Harsha's stance on switch-hit

In a heated exchange on Day three of the India-England Test match in Hyderabad, former England captain Kevin Pietersen, and renowned commentator, Harsha Bhogle found themselves at odds over the controversial switch-hit shot.

The dispute ignited when Bhogle, expressing concern for bowlers, questioned the fairness of the switch-hit and advocated for its ban. Pietersen, credited with popularizing the unconventional shot, took offence to Bhogle's stance, even walking out of the commentary box, refusing to engage in a debate.

"I never thought I'd hear you squash entertainment in sport. I'm so happy it's 3.20 pm local time and I'm going back downstairs," Pietersen responded to Bhogle's stance on the switch-hit during commentary, expressing his disbelief.

Harsha, undeterred by Pietersen's reaction, continued to challenge the switch-hit's legality. In response to Pietersen's social media post, Bhogle argued that if batters can switch-hit, bowlers should also be allowed to bowl with both hands. The cricketer-turned-commentator responded to a fan's tweet on the platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) and expressed that Bhogle's opinions on the switch-hit were rubbish.

"Absolute nonsense! If you want to switch hit allow a bowler to bowl with both hands. Because something is difficult, it doesn't make it acceptable. The bowler has to inform the umpire if he wants to bowl left-handed, the batsman must have the same condition. May the debate continue," Bhogle darted back at Pietersen on his 'X' handle.

Ollie Pope and Rehan Ahmed will look to build on their lead on day four

Meanwhile, in the ongoing first Test of the series, England showed resilience, posting 316/6 at stumps in their second innings, securing a crucial 126-run lead. Ollie Pope's unbeaten 148-run knock played a pivotal role in the turnaround.

As the debate rages on, England prepare to resume batting on Day four, aiming to build on their lead and set a challenging target for India on the spin-friendly pitch. Ollie Pope, accompanied by Rehan Ahmed, will look to maintain England's momentum in this captivating Test match. The clash of opinions between Pietersen and Bhogle adds an extra layer of drama to an already intriguing contest.