Kevin Pietersen Saga Will Put Pressure on Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss: Rahul Dravid

England skipper Alastair Cook and his former teammate Andrew Strauss will face intense pressure during the upcoming Ashes battle with Australia over the decision to ignore the claims of Kevin Pietersen for a Test recall, former India captain Rahul Dravid said on Thursday.(Pietersen Not Part of England Plans)

"It was strange and disappointing to see Pietersen being told he will not be given an opportunity to play for England. This decision will bring more pressure on Cook and (new England director of cricket) Strauss during the (July-August) Ashes," said Dravid here.(Pietersen's IPL Return Ruined by Calf Injury)

"If England win the Ashes, then it will be fine, but if they lose this (episode) is not going to die down," the Rajasthan Royals team mentor said at the launch of a new social initiative aimed at empowering the girl child.(Cook Threatened to Quit if Pietersen Returned)

Pietersen was told by Strauss hours after cracking an unbeaten triple hundred for Surrey in a county game that he will not be considered for England in the immediate future.(Pietersen Snub: Aussies Relish England Snub)

The player, sacked in 2013 after the 5-0 whitewash of England in Australia, had been told earlier by the England and Wales Board's chairman Colin Graves to ignore IPL riches and prove his worth in English county cricket for a Test recall. Former England woman cricketer of Indian origin, Isa Guha, saw "miscommunication" from both sides.

"It has not been handled well by both sides. There has been a miscommunication. But I would love KP to play for England," said Guha who is doing TV commentary in the IPL.

"It (Pietersen saga) has been going on for 2-3 years. There is a lot of baggage there. They (ECB and team) seem to have decided to move on. It's sad there is so much focus on KP though there are fine young players like Joe Root, Garry Ballance and others.

"Like Rahul said, it will put a lot of pressure on England. I just hope English cricket can come out on the other side," said the 29-year-old Buckinghamshire-born Isa. For their initiative 'Bat for the Girl Child',  Royals have pledged 2 per cent of the annual profits of the company for the current financial year towards the cause.

Two NGOs, Educate Girls and Aaangan, are beneficiaries of the funding while Royals have tied up with British Asian Trust as the social cause's implementation partner.