Ambati Rayudu is known for making outrageous comments. He is a six-time IPL winner.
Kevin Pietersen called Ambati Rayudu a “joker” during a funny exchange on Sunday night’s Star Sports post-IPL 2024 Final broadcast. After Rayudu changed from an orange to a blue outfit during the 2024 Indian Premier League Final between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the former English cricket player made the humorous comment. Before the game started, Rayudu, a cricket player for Hyderabad in local competitions, wore orange. Pietersen made the comment, though, after Rayudu abandoned his orange attire as SRH collapsed to 113 all out following an outstanding KKR bowling display.
Pietersen teased Rayudu’s switch to the Sunrisers following the Sunrisers’ loss by saying, “You’re a joker!” on the broadcast.
“I, at least, held firm,” declared Pietersen, who was sporting the Kolkata Knight Riders’ official color of purple.
You’re the Joker. Kevin Pietersen: https://twitter.com/GotTPdtY4o to Ambati Rayudupic
— Congrats, Chiku One (8). May 27, 2024
The guys in orange scored the fewest runs ever in an IPL Final thanks to Mitchell Starc and company’s mastery of the powerful SRH batting lineup on game night. In just 10.3 overs, KKR swept to their third IPL championship.
Matthew Hayden and Mayanti Langer, who were present with Pietersen and Rayudu, laughed at the exchange. The fact that Rayudu wore orange before the IPL Final may not have come as a surprise given that he made his Hyderabad local debut in 2001.
On Sunday night, Rayudu sparked controversy on social media for a number of reasons beyond his abrupt wardrobe change. The former MI and CSK batsman made reference to Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the day when he stated that an IPL-winning squad needs contributions from the entire team, not just one star.
Rayudu had stated during the Star Sports pre-match broadcast that “it’s not the Orange Cap that wins you the IPL but it is the contributions like 300 runs each (of many players)”.
