Cook later doubled down on his stance, saying that eventually players need games, not just exposure to elite environments.
“There’s got to be a stage where you have to play,” Cook said. “No one publicly is ever going to say the IPL’s not the place to be because everyone knows it lines everyone’s pockets.”
Gillespie unloads on Pietersen
Now Gillespie has entered the debate — and he did not hold back.
Speaking on The Fast Bowling Cartel podcast alongside fellow Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming, Gillespie mocked Pietersen’s criticism of Cook and sarcastically blasted the former England batter’s claims.
“The nerve of Sir Alastair Cook to suggest something like that,” Gillespie said sarcastically. “KP has gone off the deep end and stated that Sir Alastair Cook’s opinion doesn’t matter because he’s never been to the IPL and would not know.”
Gillespie insisted Cook had made a perfectly reasonable point, especially considering Bethell was not getting game time.
“I think Sir Alastair Cook had a valid point, but the way KP absolutely hammered him for having an opinion — give me a spell, boys. Absolute nonsense,” Gillespie added.
The former Australia fast bowler then turned even more scathing while mocking Pietersen’s claims that he helped pave the way for players to prioritise franchise cricket.
“He reckons he would have played 150 Tests or more. He’s the one who paved the way,” Gillespie said sarcastically. “Thank you, Kevin, for the stars above, the sun, the moon, the earth we walk on and the air we breathe. It was all about cash for you, Kev. Give me a break, you muppet.”