Born in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, Kevin Pietersen - fully aware of the talent he had - couldn't cope with the quota system in selection prevalent in his country in the early '90s. He headed to the United Kingdom to look for opportunities to play the sport at the highest level. After plying his trade successfully in the English county circuit, Pietersen earned the England cap in 2004. From scoring hundreds against South Africa in South Africa, to being part of two Ashes-winning squads, to being appointed captain of the England team, and then relinquishing captaincy in controversial circumstances, it has been one eventful journey for the hard-hitting batsman so far. Pietersen was signed up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for an astounding sum of $1.55 million ahead of the second season of the IPL. He was named captain of the team despite the fact that he would only be playing a few games. In his brief stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pietersen delivered mixed performances; he played two useful knocks in six innings, but his performance fell short of the lofty expectations he had raised. The Royal Challengers Bangalore finished runners-up of Season 2 without the services of Pietersen for most part. If he plays the majority of the games of IPL 2010, the Royal Challengers will be greatly boosted.