Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Ambati Rayudu once again voiced his criticism of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat Kohli. However, Rayudu’s remarks seemed to stem more from envy than genuine disapproval.
On Sunday, May 26, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a spectacular performance by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer. They decisively defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, with 57 balls to spare, securing the IPL 2024 trophy and ending a decade-long wait for the title.
The triumph was a result of collective and all-round efforts from every member of the KKR team, a point highlighted by Rayudu in his remarks, which subtly criticized the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their continued IPL trophy drought despite having some of the world’s best players.
Virat Kohli has been the cornerstone of RCB’s batting line-up for years, and the IPL 2024 was no exception. The dynamic right-hander almost single-handedly led the franchise to many of their victories this season with his phenomenal batting. Kohli claimed the Orange Cap Trophy as the leading run-scorer of IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs in 15 innings at an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70. While Rayudu acknowledged Kohli’s outstanding achievement, he emphasized that it is the collective team effort that ultimately secures the trophy.
Rayudu pointed out RCB’s struggles in IPL 2024, attributing them to a lack of contributions from the entire team, contrasting it with KKR’s robust team performances. He cited the significant roles played by Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Mitchell Starc in KKR’s victory, noting that every KKR player stood out, which is why the Men in Purple and Gold clinched the title for the third time.
Ambati Rayudu said during the post-match interview: “…Over the years, it is not the orange cap that wins you the titles but contributions like 300 runs each or 400 runs each.” Now, the clip of Rayudu taking a dig at RCB and Kohli is going viral on social media.
Moreover, the former Chennai batsman intensified the controversy by mocking the RCB management earlier, targeting both the team and its fans. Recently, Ambati Rayudu criticized RCB’s management, pointing out their habit of prioritizing individual achievements over team success. Rayudu advised the management to prioritize the team’s interests over individual milestones to achieve future success.
“My heart truly goes out to all the rcb supporters who have passionately supported the team over the years. If only the management and the leaders had the teams interests ahead of individual milestones .. rcb would have won multiple titles. Just remember how many fantastic players have been let go off. Force your management to bring players who will put teams interests first. A great new chapter can start from the mega auction,” Rayudu had said in a post on social media.
Rayudu’s frequent criticisms have led fans to start trolling him, suggesting that he might be jealous of Virat’s success. This notion isn’t entirely unfounded, as the loss against RCB still stings for former CSK players and fans alike.
