IPL 2016: Kevin Pietersen may return to international cricket with South Africa

Kevin Pietersen's hopes of playing for England again might after all be a thing of the past, but the 35-year-old has admitted that he is looking to return to the international arena. Albeit this time, he would represent his country of birth – South Africa.

Pietersen, who was born and raised in the African nation, will be eligible to play for the country as early as 2018. He has not been selected by England post the 2013-14 Ashes, where the Three Lions were whitewashed and despite expressing his availability, the former captain has been ignored by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"Yes, it is a thought in my head. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, it doesn't. Obviously , playing International cricket is something I have done for a very long time", he was quoted as saying by cricketaustralia.com.

"Do I miss playing International cricket? Do I miss batting in International cricket? Yes I do very much so you never know. The eligibility for South Africa is still over a year away. So we will have to wait and see, but it (an English call-up) is definitely still an option. I am in a great frame of mind now, I enjoy myself and don't take life too seriously."

"I still train hard and love batting, I love practicing my batting. I love the art of batting. It may not guarantee me getting runs, but it gives me a good chance to get runs. I am very lucky that I have played International cricket for 10 years and over 100 test matches," he said.

Pietersen, since his England omission, has become a T20 freelancer and is currently playing for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League. He also participated in the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ram Slam T20, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the T20 League Blast over the past year.