Former India batter Ambati Rayudu took a dig at ex-England captain Kevin Pietersen over his viral on-air ‘joker’ remark aimed toward him after the IPL 2024 closing between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. Rayudu revealed that skilled courtesy had stopped him from hitting again on the time.
After Kolkata beat Sunrisers to elevate their third title in historical past, Pietersen, whereas in dialog with Matthew Hayden and Rayudu on Star Sports activities, mocked the Indian for switching allegiances. “I’ve a minimum of held agency. I wore it and I owned it. You’re a joker, all the time a joker,” Pietersen instructed Rayudu, pointing in direction of the jacket he wore. The previous Chennai Tremendous Kings batter responded, saying, “I’m supporting each the groups. I’m supporting good cricket.”
The ‘joker’ remark sparked widespread dialogue on social media, with followers and analysts debating the alternate.
Recalling the episode in Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Rayudu defined why he modified his jacket throughout his broadcasting obligation, saying it had nothing to do with which aspect he supported. He additional stated that in reply he may have questioned Pietersen’s contributions for Royal Challengers Bangalore throughout his IPL stint for the franchise between 2009 and 2010. The veteran batter, who gained six IPL titles with CSK and Mumbai Indians, stated he selected to take care of skilled decorum and respect broadcast etiquette through the incident.
“That day we had not picked groups. Chennai was sizzling, so I had two jackets. On air, he stated no matter, however we may additionally inform him issues as a result of he performed for RCB and didn’t do something. I used to be sustaining skilled decorum. He apologised later, additionally, for saying that on air. We had been simply having banter, however individuals took it indirectly. Nevertheless it affected him extra and never me,” Rayudu stated.
Pietersen’s IPL profession spanned three franchises. He began with RCB, scoring 329 runs with two fifties throughout two seasons, earlier than shifting to Delhi Daredevils (2012–2014), and later representing the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016. Regardless of flashes of brilliance, his IPL profession was usually critiqued for inconsistency, which added weight to Rayudu’s on-air jab.
