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Rediff.com  » Cricket » KP, Kallis pack the Proteas power

KP, Kallis pack the Proteas power

Last updated on: April 05, 2010 10:14 IST
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Jacques Kallis and Kevin PietersenEver imagined Jacques Kallis and Kevin Pietersen batting together?

While one is a South African batting legend, the other is a South African-born cricketer who moved out of the country and is now an integral part of England's batting line-up.

The two could have formed a dream batting pair for South Africa, but... .

Pietersen, who could have represented the Proteas, made a shocking choice to leave his country of birth and move to England.

The right-hander, who is popularly known as KP, made his first-class debut for Natal in 1997 before moving to England after voicing his displeasure over the racial quota system in place in South Africa then.

On Sunday, many South Africans would have been thrilled to see two of their best batsmen come together at the crease, wearing the same jersey, as they batted for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

Pietersen joined the Challengers last season, but the dynamic duo hardly got a chance to bat together.

On Sunday, they did, but chasing an improbable total of 185 for a victory, the two batting giants slogged it out without much success.

They struggled to get to grips with the tight bowling from the opposition and could add only 27 runs in 29 balls before KP was bowled by Pradeep Sangwan for 16.

With that, Bangalore's hopes of chasing down the target evaoporated. But with Royal Challengers well-placed for a berth in the semi-finals, you can certainly expect more from the duo over the next couple of weeks.

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