McIlroy was tipped as one of the favourites for the first Open in Northern Ireland since 1951 but now faces a battle to get back amongst the leaders.
The 40-year-old Pietersen said a win against India is similar to a victory against arch-rivals Australia and urged the selectors to play both Stuart Broad and James Anderson in the same XI.
England's selectors are acutely aware of the impact on players of bio-secure bubbles and with a demanding year ahead, are making sure they protect their key performers.
India's Anirban Lahiri, playing in his second Olympics, got off to a solid start, carding a 4-under 67 in the first round and was placed tied 8th at the weather-hit Games' golf competition, at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Tokyo, on Thursday.
With his height, Antigua-born Cornwall generates more bounce than most off-spinners and combines it with his accuracy to trouble batsmen.
England finished day two on 111-2 and trail New Zealand by 267 runs in the first innings of the first Test after Devon Conway's double ton took the game away from the home side on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy received plenty of criticism for golfing with US President Donald Trump this year and on Tuesday the Northern Irishman said he would "think twice" before accepting a second invitation.
England skipper Joe Root has backed James Anderson to hit peak form again, saying on Wednesday that the pace bowler's spot in the team is not in question ahead of the second Test against Pakistan starting on Thursday.
Australia's Steve Smith struck a superb 144 on his return to the side as they recovered from 122-8 to reach 284 all out against England in the first innings of the first Ashes Test before the hosts saw out two overs unscathed at Edgbaston on Thursday.
South Africa will appear in their first international assignment since the COVID-19-induced lockdown in March when they host England for three T20Is and as many ODIs, beginning on November 27 at Newlands.
India finished the penultimate day on 39-1, still 381 behind the target
Former fast bowler Darren Gough vouched for England opener Dom Sibley's ability to play spin, saying if he could dominate India's Ravichandran Ashwin on way to a double ton in county cricket, he is good enough to play any spinner in the world.
India will welcome back regular skipper Virat Kohli, who missed the last three Tests in Australia to attend the birth of his daughter.
'There was a universal feeling that not much is known about amateur and professional golf in India, and also how golf is developing in what is going to be a very big economy in just a few years.' 'They all want India to be ready and accessible.'
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 5th Ashes Test played between England and Australia on Thursday.
Jasprit Bumrah will have to squeeze every ounce of energy from his already overworked body, while Ajinkya Rahane will hope to get one final chance to save his international career when India take on England in the fifth and final Test, chasing a historic series win, in Manchester on Friday.
'I think he has lifetime exemptions at every major event but I suspect we are probably not going to see Tiger in a competitive golf event going forward.'
A proud Virat Kohli rated his team's bowling performance in the fourth Test among the top-three during his captaincy stint, extolling his players' strong character as India scored a superb 157-run victory over England after conceding a huge 99-run lead.
Images from Day 2 of the 2nd Ashes Test played at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, on Thursday.
The 2020 Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place from Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin but there are doubts that it can go ahead as planned. ROry McIlroy said the absence of spectators would ruin the spectacle.
Images from the opening day of the third and final Test between England and Pakistan in Southampton, on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of England's playing XI for the first Test?
In all likelihood, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane would get another chance but over the past two years, his inconsistency has hurt this team badly.
England were reeling at 89-4 when Buttler somewhat steadied the innings before Curran clobbered six sixes in his blistering 64 to help them to a competitive score.
Rory McIlroy was showered in praise by his peers all week at Congressional Country Club but the accolades flew especially thick and fast on Sunday after his runaway victory at the US Open.
Pujara believes that a talent like Pant will learn from his mistakes as he has the ability to rectify and play for the team's cause.
When Roy teamed up with Rory Burns against Ireland last week, they were England's eighth different opening partnership in the past three years and the 16th since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012.
Golfer Rory McIlroy and his tennis-playing girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki started the New Year with a bang on Wednesday by announcing their engagement on Twitter.
'I think the ECB has been very forward-thinking,' Buttler said, praising the board for recognising the challenges of living in bio-bubbles
Tony Jacklin believes marriage would help Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler to settle down off the golf course.
In the bowling department, pacer Mohammad Abbas (13th) and experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah (24th), who have in the past, been ranked third and first, respectively, and left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi (32nd) are other Pakistan players to watch.
Another England bowler to advance in the rankings was Chris Woakes, whose five-wicket haul in the second innings lifted him to 20th position and a career-best rating points tally of 654.
Ferrari announced a restructuring of their Formula One technical department on Wednesday after struggling in the first three races of a season so far dominated by Mercedes. The sport's oldest, most glamorous and successful team -- last year's runners-up -- are fifth in the championship with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc pushed into more of a midfield battle.
However, with six back-to-back Tests against the Windies and Pakistan, the rotation policy could be used to keep the paces fresh.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests and as many Twenty20 matches against England. The first Test will begin at Lord's on July 30.
Rory McIlroy, the World's No 1 golfer, experienced an awkward moment when he went to watch Ulster take on Connacht in a rugby match on Friday.
An Olympic gold medal was not the pinnacle of the sport for golfers according to world number four Rory McIlroy, and he had no concerns about his decision to withdraw from the Rio de Janeiro Games.
With no spectators allowed on the course it was a solemn scene as golfers and their caddies, heads bowed, stood silently on greens, tees, fairways and the practice range.
England were struggling at 53 for 3 in pursuit of an improbable 482 to win at the end of the third day
Images from Day 4 of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia in Edgbaston, on Sunday.
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