Veteran India player Piyush Chawla recalled Kevin Pietersen’s words after the former England batter smashed the Indian spinner on his international debut as well. Chawla made his debut at only 17 in the second Test of the three-match series at home against England at Mohali in 2006 as well. Despite coming into the team with an excellent domestic record, he was taken apart by the swashbuckling Pietersen. After
bowling a maiden in his first over, Pietersen smashed him for a boundary and a maximum in his second over.

In a recent conversation on the 2 Sloggers podcast, Chawla said, “In my first Test match, Pietersen hit me to different parts of the ground. And gave a statement after that: ‘Whether it is Shane Warne or a 17-year-old kid, I bat this way’. That experience was like ‘welcome to international cricket’. I almost had a five-wicket haul in every second match in domestic cricket. It appeared like things were very easy, but when I played my first Test, I realized why international cricket is so difficult,” said Chawla.

Fortunately for Chawla, his second innings was quite better as he dismissed Andrew Flintoff to finish with figures of 1/8 as well. Team India also won the Test match by nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Piyush Chawla further recalled being backed by the senior players in the team during his India debut against England in 2006 as well.

“The way everyone backed me. It’s very important for a youngster who has just walked into the side to get support from the seniors. Sachin paaji came. Viru bhai talked to me in his own way. Then Yuvi paaji and Mahi bhai. I can’t say they were friends because they were very seniors,” said Chawla.