Kevin Pietersen has expressed his surprise at the fact that Ravi Bopara was not included in the England squad for the one-day international series with India.

Essex all-rounder Bopara has been in positive form for both county and country in the limited overs form of the game in recent months, but that was not enough to convince the selectors that he was worthy of a place in the 15-man party.

Writing in the The Telegraph, Pietersen admitted that he was "absolutely flabbergasted" to learn of the 29-year-old's omission.

"It was not a surprise that [Jason] Roy was not picked but I was absolutely flabbergasted when Ravi Bopara was left out of the England one-day squad," said Pietersen.

"He has been their key all-rounder in one-day cricket for the past year, a very talented batsmen who has turned himself into a useful wicket-taking bowler.

"He is very popular in the dressing room and an experienced player too so why has he drawn the short straw and been left out? I would love to know the cricketing reasons behind that decision."

The first ODI between England and the Indians was due to be played in Bristol today, but persistent rain has resulted in the encounter being abandoned.