London: Maverick England batsman Kevin Pietersen's brilliant but controversial international career has come to an abrupt end with his announcement that his "incredible journey" was over as he would no longer play for the country.
The 33-year-old, South Africa-born player decided to call it a day after he was left out of England's upcoming tour of the West Indies and the subsequent World Twenty20 Championships in Bangladesh. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said he would not be part of a rebuilding process after the Ashes whitewash.
Pietersen, who has excellent record against India scoring 1581 runs in Tests at an average of 58.55 and 1138 ODI runs at an average of 45.52, remains England's highest run-scorer in all formats of the game.
The swashbuckler played 104 Tests and 136 ODIs in a career spanning nine years. He scored 8181 Test runs at an average of 47.28 and 4440 ODI runs at 40.73. The right-hander has 1176 runs in the 37 Twenty20 Internationals he has played so far.
"Playing cricket for my country has been an honour.
Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I'm also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years," Pietersen said.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have played at a time of great success for England cricket alongside some of the best cricketers the country has ever produced. I want to thank everyone for their fantastic support and I wish the team the very best of success going forward.
"I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer. I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won't be for England," he added.
The dramatic announcement is being seen as an ECB move to forcefully end the controversial batsman's career. It also comes within days of Andy Flower stepping down as chief coach after being asked to by the ECB.
Newly-appointed ECB managing director Paul Downton said it was a "tough decision" to drop Pietersen as part of a rebuilding process which focusses on next year's World Cup.