'Please stop it': Kevin Pietersen to social media users who are 'abusing' Ambati Rayudu

Kevin Pietersen has come out in support of Ambati Rayudu after the former Chennai Super Kings cricketer became a target for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans following the IPL 2024 final which was won by Kolkata Knight Riders. Rayudu, who was part of the broadcast team of Star Sports, was involved in a discussion over various aspects of winning an IPL title and how RCB can do that with Pietersen and other experts after the final, however, Rayudu’s comments did not go down well with the Bengaluru fans who targetted the formed India batter on social media.

“Come on guys! This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down! 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?” Pietersen wrote on X, speaking in support of Rayudu.

Come on guys!

This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down!

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? 🙏🏽

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) May 28, 2024

While talking about why RCB have failed to win a single IPL title in 17 seasons, Rayudu seems to have suggested that former captain Virat Kohli’s high standards had become a problem at the franchise, Rayudu, however, was interjected by fellow expert Pietersen, Matthew Hayden and presenter Mayanti Langer.

Here’s how the conversation went:

Rayudu: “When you have a stalwart and a legend like Virat Kohli, who has set really high standards, it’s very hard for the youngsters to be in a side like that and try and match that standard because he always wants the team to be performing at his level.”

Pietersen: “No, it should be good for youngsters.”

Rayudu: “But sometimes the burden of really trying to be Virat Kohli in a sport where you know nobody is going to be like him.”

Mayanti Langer: “But didn’t Patidar step up?”

Rayudu: “Patidar can only be a Patidar but not a Virat Kohli, and I think RCB, as management, understands that you cannot have 11 Virat Kohli in the team. You need to have 1 Virat Kohli with 10 others being themselves, having their own identities and strengths and weaknesses. And you need to use them well in terms of resources.

“You can’t expect somebody to win the game in the first season. You need to give him that leeway and time to grow into a match-winner. So I think the management has its task out, and even Virat Kohli needs to ease and lower his standards a bit when it comes to youngsters, nurturing them, and letting them go.”

Also after KKR won the IPL 2024 title, Rayudu who was sporting an orange waistcoat, in support of Sunrisers Hyderabad, till the match was decided changed to a blue coat.

This also resulted in Pietersen and Hayden taking a dig at Rayudu. Pietersen even called Rayuddu a “joker” on-air during the post-match show.

No way Kevin Pietersen called Ambati Rayudu a Joker on live TV.#IPLFinal pic.twitter.com/LYigudOhig

— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) May 27, 2024

“Thank you for bringing out the fact that he changed from orange to blue,” said host Mayanti.

“I’ve at least held firm. I wore it and I owned it,” said Pietersen pointing out towards his purple dress. “You are a joker, always a joker,” Pietersen further went on to say.

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