'New Zealand lack star quality, England to face a tougher test against India'- Kevin Pietersen

For resurgent England, the Kiwi challenge was a breeze. The English revival under the new management of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum has come rather surprisingly.

The recently-concluded three-match Test series between England and New Zealand saw the hosts inflict a whitewash. For England, it was their changed approach that stood out. While Joe Root was at his tcal best throughout the series, the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Stokes brought an all-out approach that is less frequently seen in the whites.

Although The Three Lions were successful in their newly-developed plan against Williamson's men, Kevin Pietersen feels it will not be that easy when Stokes and Co. go head-to-head versus Indian in the upcoming Edgbaston Test.

Former England cricketer cited that New Zealand are short of star quality, and it still surprises him how they are the reigning World Test Champions.

"It always surprised me that New Zealand were World Test Champions. I mean no disrespect by that because they must be doing something to get the very best out of each other. But other than Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, who needs the ball to be swinging, they lack star quality," Pietersen said as quoted on Betway.

"So I certainly expect England to face a tougher test against India, who are packed full of the best players on the planet," he added.

Pietersen, who himself was famous for his aggressive strokeplay, stated that the Indian bowlers would fancy their chances against the hard-hitting England batters.

"India's bowlers might not mind so much that England are going to come out swinging at them. Ravi Jadeja is an excellent spinner when people start getting after him, and you can be sure that Jasprit Bumrah will see it as an opportunity, too."

The 42-year-old emphasised that it will be a different ball game for England's bowlers when they would be pitted against the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

The fifth Test match of the 2021 series, which was postponed, will go underway from July 1.