Kevin Pietersen has continued his extraordinary rant on social media after claiming England “didn’t try” during their ODI series defeat to India. On Wednesday, the former England international unleashed a furious post on X expressing his disbelief at Jos Buttler’s side not undertaking a single team training session after losing the first ODI.

India cruised to a 3-0 clean sweep in the 50-over format after romping to a 4-1 T20I series triumph, nightmare preparation for the Three Lions’ Champions League Trophy campaign in Pakistan.

And Pietersen, who worked as a commentator during the series, didn’t hold back with his online criticism of England’s effort levels.

“I’m sorry, but I am absolutely gobsmacked that England did not have ONE team practice session since losing the 1st ODI and losing the T20 series,” Pietersen wrote on X.

“How can this be? Seriously, how? I believe Joe Root was the only player to have a net this series, post-Nagpur.

“There isn’t a single sportsman on this planet who can honestly say that they’d improve without practising whilst they’re getting beaten.

“There also cannot be one player on that England side that can sit on the plane leaving India and say to themselves they did everything they could to try and help England win. And for that, I’m actually incredibly sad this evening.

“Losing is fine if you’re giving your best to improve every day, and if England didn’t train during this series, then they didn’t try. Heartbreaking for any England fan!”

England desperately struggled against the spin across both formats in a horror start to life under new coach across red and white ball, Brendon McCullum.

Ben Duckett became the latest player to sustain an injury in the third ODI and is now a doubt for the Champions Trophy with a groin problem.

Following backlash in the media over his claims that Buttler and co didn’t try by not training, the 44-year-old pulled no punches when hitting back on Thursday morning.

He posted: “Just got sent an article where a leading UK journo has said that Shastri & I got it wrong last night when discussing England not training.

“Reason – injuries and quick turnaround between games…! Do me a f*****g favour! Stop writing about cricket if you’re going to write such rubbish.

“Injuries are part of sport, and this schedule is like every bilateral series almost ever played. Injuries are NOT stopping batters from batting against net bowlers and learning the art of playing spin.

“And that’s where they should have been to IMPROVE! Trust me on this one, as it saved my career against spin!

“It seems the journos are in cahoots with what we’re trying to be brainwashed into believing! You won’t fool the fan with such!”

After briefly praising the ECB for generating around £470million for county cricket from franchise sales, Pietersen signed off by sharing his hope that England can turn around their form in the Champions Trophy.

“Anyway, I hope England can turn on the switch that’s needed to win the champions trophy over the next few weeks,” the ex-batter penned.

“I really hope they do cos I do love the players, and they have so much talent. I’m off to chase sunrises/sunsets with my family on the banks of the South Luangwa River in Zambia.”