Trinidad (West Indies), Mar. 13: The blitzkrieg launched by the Indian batting machine in New Zealand has driven England star bat Kevin Pietersen crazy, so much so, that he is desperate to play in the Indian Premier League next month and wants all selected England players to go with him.

KP is insisting that he will fly off to play for the Bangalore Royal Challengers unless the security risk is so strong that he is told to stay at home.

Pietersen said: “India are taking cricket to a new level. Have you seen their scores in New Zealand? It’s ridiculous.

“You compare that to how we played in New Zealand last year. We have to find a way of trying to match that. India’s cricket has gone through the roof because of the IPL. Our players missed out last year and there’s no way we can catch up if we keep missing out. It’s vital our players learn how to hit sixes and fours. They can do that in Twenty20,” the Sun quoted him, as saying.

KP has a 1.12 million pound deal with Bangalore, the same amount Chennai Super Kings paid for Andrew Flintoff.

In reality, each will get half that figure, as they are available for only three weeks of the six-week tournament.

Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara have also signed IPL deals, as have Dimi Mascarenhas and Graham Napier.

Security fears have increased after last week’s terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Pakistan.

But Pietersen added: “I’ve just had an email about security and it was positive.” (ANI)