Sun Feb 09 08:20:00 UTC 2025: ## England’s Duckett Blamed for Costly Run Out in ODI Loss to India
**Nagpur, India** – England’s opening batsman Phil Salt’s run out in the first ODI against India has been attributed to a lackadaisical run between the wickets by his partner, Ben Duckett, according to former England captain Kevin Pietersen. The incident, which saw Salt dismissed for 43 off 26 balls, proved a turning point in the match, ultimately contributing to England’s defeat.
Salt and Duckett had provided a blistering start for England, reaching 73 runs in just 8.4 overs. However, Salt’s run out stemmed from a miscommunication and Duckett’s slow running after a well-fielded throw from Shreyas Iyer. Pietersen criticized Duckett’s “jogging” pace, suggesting a lack of urgency and decisive thinking cost England a potential 50-60 runs. He highlighted the absence of effective communication between the two batsmen, emphasizing that a clear call wasn’t enough; quicker and more decisive running was crucial.
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel echoed similar sentiments, pointing out the need for better non-verbal communication, particularly in a high-pressure situation like an international match. He stressed that relying solely on verbal cues is insufficient and that players should also be attuned to their partner’s body language and movements.
Pietersen even suggested that England head coach Brendon McCullum should address Duckett’s repeated instances of slow running between the wickets, a recurring issue noted during recent T20Is. He advocated for a conversation to encourage Duckett to improve his speed and decision-making while running between the wickets. Ultimately, the run-out proved pivotal in England’s innings, which ended on 248 all out, setting the stage for India’s victory.
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