Playing in his first game of LLC 2023, Kevin Pietersen displayed his entire range of shots in a nearly match-winning knock in a steep run-chase for India Capitals in Ranchi.

Having won the toss, the Capitals had elected to field first. They started brilliantly with the ball, dismissing Dwayne Smith and Martin Guptill inside the first three overs.

However, Gurkeerat Singh Mann (89 off 54 balls) and Suresh Raina (46 off 27 balls) took the early advantage away from them. Peter Trego (36 off 20 balls) then played a late cameo to take Hyderabad to 189-5 from their 20 overs.

Capitals had a horrible start to their run-chase. Gautam Gambhir was dismissed off the first ball while Hashim Amla followed in the next over.

Pietersen came into bat at No.4 as an Impact Player with the score reading 11-2. He found no support from the middle order, while carrying the run-chase on his own. Pietersen used his long levers to hit sixes both down the ground and square of the wicket.

He reached his 50 off 27 balls in the eleventh over. After the fall of Ricardo Powell’s wicket on the last ball of the 13th over, Capitals still needed 75 off seven overs with just five wickets in hand.

Ashley Nurse then joined Pietersen. The pair added 42 runs in 4.4 overs before Pietersen was eventually dismissed for 77 off 48 balls with Capitals still needing another 33 runs from 14 deliveries.

Pietersen’s knock comprised of four fours and six sixes. Nurse remained unbeaten on 41 off 25 balls in the end but it wasn’t enough as the Capitals fell agonisingly short by three runs.

Watch Kevin Pietersen light up LLC 2023 with a rapid 77 off 48 balls:

Pietersen's power play!🔥#LegendsLeagueCricket #LLCT20 #BossLogonKaGame pic.twitter.com/HEu1PGOvrb

— Legends League Cricket (@llct20) November 23, 2023