'Banter Turned Into Abuse': Kevin Pietersen Clarifies Why he Called Ambati Rayudu 'Joker', Slams Social Media Trolls

England batting legend has clarified his light-hearted exchange with former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu following the IPL 2024 final in Chennai.

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets to become the IPL champions for the third time in their history.

During a post-match conversation, Pietersen called Rayudu ‘joker’ for changing his attire after KKR’s one-sided win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Also Read: Tendulkar, Modi, Dhoni Among Famous Names Used by Fake Applicants For India Coach’s Job

Notably, Rayudu was wearing an Orange waistcoat before but later changed it to a navy blue one.

Pietersen playfully called out the former India batter for not sticking to the team he was supporting before the result and then called him a ‘joker’.

Rayudu responded, “I am supporting both the teams. I am supporting good cricket.”

However, a few users on social media picked on Pietersen’s playful remark and used it to take aim at Rayudu who had earlier taken a shot at Royal Challengers Bengaluru for “keeping individual milestones ahead of team’s interest” in the pecking order.

Pietersen took exception to the trolling and blamed the users for turning his banter with Rayudu into an “avalanche of abuse”

“Come on guys! This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down!” Pietersen posted on X.

“Example – @RayuduAmbati and I were messing around after the IPL final and all of sudden that banter has turned into an avalanche of abuse towards Ambati. PLEASE stop it?” he added.

Rayudu, a middle-order batter, announced his retired from IPL after Chennai Super Kings won a record-equaling fifth title last season.

During his IPL career where he represented Mumbai Indians and CSK, the 38-year-old scored 4348 runs in 203 matches at an average of 28.05 and a strike-rate of 127.54.

Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.