Ambati Rayudu Faces Criticism for Controversial Tweet Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
Controversial Tweet Sparks Outrage
Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu is under fire for a post he shared online during a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Rayudu's tweet followed the abandonment of an IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited a technical issue, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal indicated that security concerns were the real reason for the match's cancellation.
The timing of Rayudu's message did not sit well with many, as the nation was rallying behind its government and armed forces. His post on X (formerly Twitter) led to a significant backlash.
Numerous users expressed their discontent in the comments, with the post accumulating over 12,000 responses by the time this report was compiled.
Rayudu's Response to Backlash
In light of the criticism, Rayudu later tweeted:
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Rayudu was not alone in addressing the situation; former Indian opener Virender Sehwag also took to X, receiving praise from fans for his display of patriotism, contrasting with Rayudu's earlier post.
Meanwhile, the IPL governing council has convened to discuss the future of the tournament, and the BCCI is arranging a special train to ensure the safe evacuation of players.