Kevin Pietersen is dropped by Delhi Daredevils

Kevin Pietersen can either wait for the IPL auction next month or play county cricket in England (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Kevin Pietersen’s future took a surprising turn yesterday when Delhi Daredevils decided not to retain the England batsman – or indeed any of their players – for this year’s Indian Premier League.

Pietersen had widely been expected to be retained by the franchise along with team-mates Virender Sehwag and David Warner, but Daredevils tweeted: “[We] will not be retaining any player from the previous squad. It was a unanimous decision by the management in order to build a fresh team that our fans will be proud of.”

Delhi’s decision means the 33-year-old Pietersen now has a choice to make. He can opt to enter the 12 February auction for the tournament, which starts on 3 April, or play county cricket with Surrey.

The latter, however unlikely, would at least endear him to those who have questioned his commitment to the England team after the Ashes whitewash at the hands of Australia.