Kevin Pietersen walked from the Lord's dressing room to the main gate as nonchalantly as a spectator would and then hailed a cab to head to Chelsea. How many including Sachin Tendulkar would be wishing they could do the same back home.

Though he is not mobbed wherever he goes, that does not mean there are no expectations. He is England's biggest hope for the Ashes and the pressure is undoubtedly to on him to recover from the shoulder injury and score runs when England renew their rivalry with Australia in July.

Then there's also the Indian Premier League, where much is expected of him after he was bought at a record price by Royal Challengers Bangalore. KP led the Bangalore outfit before he flew back to play for England against the West Indies in an ODI series.

And though many will expect him to lead the 2009 runner-up in the third season too, KP has other plans.

"I will surely be looking forward to playing in the IPL. But I will be available only as a player and not as captain.

I will inform the team about my decision in due course," Pietersen said...

"I hope I can play in the IPL but it all depends on my fitness. The injury is no laughing matter. Sometimes the pain is unbearable," said Pietersen, who took a cortisone shot to reduce pain to play in the World T20.