Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Ambati Rayudu took an indirect dig at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and their former captain Virat Kohli following Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Final at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Sunday (May 26).

Ambati Rayudu’s tussle with RCB in the IPL 2024

Rayudu, who has been critical of RCB of late, expressed his disappointment over the team’s failure to clinch the IPL trophy despite numerous attempts. Using his social media platform, Rayudu, earlier, slammed RCB’s management for what he perceived as poor decision-making, particularly in releasing talented players and acquiring individuals whose priorities seemed more aligned with personal milestones rather than the team’s success.

Emphasizing team contributions: Indirect dig at Virat Kohli

Now After KKR emerged victorious, Rayudu underscored the vital roles played by senior players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc in KKR’s triumphant campaign. He highlighted these seasoned campaigners’ collective effort and selfless contributions, suggesting that their commitment to the team’s cause was instrumental in securing the IPL title.

“Congratulations to the KKR team for really standing up for stalwarts like Narine, Russell, and Starc, and also contributing their share in the team’s win. That’s how a team wins the IPL. We have seen this over the years. It’s not the Orange Cap that wins you the IPL but it is the contributions like 300 runs each (from many players),” Rayudu said on Star Sports.

Also READ: Amitabh Bachchan reacts as crying videos of Kavya Maran go viral after SRH’s defeat in IPL 2024 final

Rayudu went on to imply that individual accolades, such as winning the Orange Cap, do not necessarily translate into IPL glory. Despite Kohli’s exceptional performance in IPL 2024, where he amassed 741 runs, including a century and five fifties, at an impressive average of 61.75 in 15 matches, Rayudu suggested that the focus on individual achievements may have overshadowed the team’s objectives.

“Virat Kohli is a stalwart and a legend there in the team. He sets so high standards which puts pressure on the youngsters to emulate him. So, Virat needs to lower his standards a bit so that the youngsters can be in a good state of mind in the dressing room,” Rayudu concluded.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I’m sure if he watches this video now even he won’t be able to explain what he was trying to say here, absolutely stupid take. Lower your standards like? Man has lost all his braincells… https://t.co/g1uZTVJ0VA

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 27, 2024

Rayudu has crossed the limit of being stupid. No sane cricket expert or a commentator would ever say this. https://t.co/GliHSwMRfo

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) May 27, 2024

Rohit’s failures with the bat and Dhoni’s fans celebrating their own players getting out doesn’t put pressure on youngsters. But Virat Kohli scoring runs at a great rate does!

Rayudu needs to visit a psychiatrist to realise what he is blabbering these days. https://t.co/8SMNCQH3E9

— ayaan. (@AyanMusk) May 27, 2024

Rayudu spoke something about how virat must lower his standards a bit so that the youngsters in the team don’t feel pressurized to match his performance. And got clowned by kp, haydos and mayanti collectively 🤣🤣🤣

— a. (@viratkohlix_18) May 26, 2024

Rayudu wore Orange blazer supporting SRH and changed it to Purple blazer after KKR won Just like he shifted from YSRCP to Janasena Party within a day..KP called him a Joker on live telecast 🤣🤣

— Detective (@cheekss4042) May 27, 2024

KP has always been on our side. Was the first person to support VK during his lean patch and now called rayudu a joker on live tv 🤣

— A (@_shortarmjab_) May 27, 2024

Yet again Ambati Rayudu won the trophy this year 👀🫡 https://t.co/cNp3jGpxAJ pic.twitter.com/UAoyX1ARJR

— 𝑺𝑖𝒅𝑑𝒉𝑎𝒓𝑡𝒉࿗ (@Your_siddhartha) May 27, 2024

Could he be more embarrassing? https://t.co/VW4VA1WmWM pic.twitter.com/JisVElXg9y

— 𝑺𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒚𝒂 (@itsme_shreyaa) May 27, 2024

IPL is over but bruhh is still not over that loss.
Virat will retire one day but he will still be crying 😭 over that loss. https://t.co/qYQtuL143t

— Utkarsh raj (@Utkarsh02353886) May 27, 2024

How insecure our former players are man, no one criticize Virat more than Indians https://t.co/WfjEpR0vap

— Naeem𝕏 (@18ModernMaster) May 27, 2024

Also READ: Former CSK star Ambati Rayudu explains why RCB have never won an IPL Title

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