Sunrisers Hyderabad have agreed to release Kevin Pietersen for the entire first phase of the IPL 2015.
The agreement allows Pietersen to miss the Sunrisers’ entire league fixtures, but will see him recalled should the team reach the knockout stages of the competition (which commence on 19 May and finish with the final on 24 May).
The four-time Ashes winner, who is also England’s highest ever run scorer in all formats, will instead join a domestic county with the aim of earning a place in the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series.
Pietersen, who has 104 Test caps, said: “I’m hugely grateful for all the support and understanding I’ve received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL.
“My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I’m absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible.
“I’ve never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England and I’m going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.
“To once again put on that England shirt would be a privilege and an honour, but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection.”
