Following the final showdown between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kevin Pietersen and Ambati Rayudu engaged in a lighthearted exchange.

Rayudu, who was rooting for SRH, appeared wearing an orange waistcoat during his broadcasting duties before the match commenced. However, he swiftly changed into a blue waistcoat after KKR convincingly defeated the team led by Pat Cummins by eight wickets to secure the win. Playfully commenting on Rayudu’s quick wardrobe change, Pietersen, who was wearing purple in support of Knight Riders, hilariously referred to the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player as a joker.

“I’ve at least held firm. I wore it, and I owned it (showing his purple clothes). You (Rayudu) are a joker, always a joker,” said Pietersen as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Kevin Pietersen opens up on the trolling of Ambati Rayudu

The video capturing the banter between Pietersen and Rayudu quickly went viral on the internet, eliciting humorous responses from fans. However, some users escalated the friendly banter to a more malicious level, resorting to abusive language and mockery directed towards the former Indian player. One of the primary reasons for this surge in negativity was certain comments made by Rayudu, where he poked fun at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Virat Kohli. Seizing the opportunity presented by this banter, RCB fans unleashed a barrage of trolling aimed at the 38-year-old player.

In response to this, Pietersen took to X and vehemently criticized the trolls, urging users to cease their criticism of Rayudu. He referred to the incessant trolling as “Tribalism” and appealed to end it.

“Come on guys! This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down! Example – Ambati Rayudu 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”, Pieterson wrote.

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

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Rayudu’s performance in IPL

Rayudu announced his retirement from the lucrative league following CSK’s record-equalling fifth title win last season. Throughout his IPL journey, which saw him represent Mumbai Indians (MI) and CSK, the Andhra Pradesh-born player amassed 4348 runs in 203 matches, with an average of 28.05 and a strike rate of 127.54.

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