Kevin Pietersen criticizes Ambati Rayudu for being a joker and switching sides after IPL final

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen didn’t hold back in his criticism of Ambati Rayudu after the Indian Premier League 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The final saw Shreyas Iyer and his team emerge victorious with an 8-wicket triumph at M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Before the match, Pietersen was supporting KKR while Rayudu was backing Sunrisers, evident from their choice of team-colored attire. However, after the game, Rayudu switched from an orange waistcoat to blue, drawing playful jabs from Pietersen and Matthew Hayden on the panel.

Pietersen didn’t mince words, calling Rayudu a ‘joker’ for his last-minute change in allegiance. Despite the banter, Rayudu maintained that he was simply supporting good cricket, backing both teams in the final.

KKR’s victory was a dominant one, with Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell shining with the ball. The team’s bowlers restricted SRH to their lowest IPL final score of 113, paving the way for an easy chase led by Venkatesh Iyer.

Rayudu credited KKR captain Shreyas Iyer for his leadership and the team’s overall performance, acknowledging the role of the coaching staff and domestic talent in their success.

The IPL final was a spectacle of skill and strategy, with KKR’s consistent performance throughout the tournament culminating in a well-deserved victory. As the cricket season unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling matches and standout performances from their favorite players.