London, Aug 19: Having spent much of Day 2 entertaining fans with a masterful innings, Kevin Pietersen was eventually dismissed 25 runs short of what would have been his second double century of the series. His 175 runs off 232 balls with 27 fours were scored in typical Pietersen style – traditional cricketing shots peppered with signature strokes like the switch-hit. In the process, KP was involved in a 350-run partnership with Ian Bell (181 not out) that left the battered Indian bowlers gasping for air.

After stumps on Day 2 of the final Test of the series, Pietersen spoke to the media about his innings and England’s strategy for the match.

Excerpts:

On whether he got a little carried away towards the end of his brilliant knock

No, not at all. It’s the case of pressing on it when you’ve got the bowlers really grounded into the dirt. [When] you are in a position of strength, you’ve got to dictate play and dictate the play looking for quick runs.

On whether England’s strategy was to go all out and hit the bowlers for runs

We just want to get the bowlers in their fourth, fifth, sixth spells; that is the principle that our batters work by and it is working well for us at the moment.

On England’s plan for Day 3 given the forecast for rain later in the match

We’ve got to get as many runs as we can pretty quick, and then we have got to try and bowl India out.

On whether he enjoyed entertaining the British PM, who was in attendance, with his knock

Yes, I did. Quite a special day for the Prime Minister to be here and enjoy some runs.