Pietersen, while on commentary, jokingly suggested that Ahmed, the 22-year-old India quick, had faked cramps to avoid bowling his last over in their clash against CSK, which SRH eventually won by 7 runs.

Pietersen seemed to have made those comments in jest, but it didn’t go down well with Bhattacharya. Ahmed ended with figures of 0-34 in 3.5 overs, having bowled five deliveries of the penultimate over after taking over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who pulled up.

Open Account Offer. Up to ₹4000 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit ₹400. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of 12 times qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code WISDEN can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way. Bet on the IPL here. 18+ please gamble responsibly

“No KP. No matter what happens, Khaleel was not faking a cramp to avoid bowling his last over,” Bhattacharya said on Twitter. “That’s unfair!

“I have worked years as a television producer. Trained to understand tone. I stand by my words. At best clumsy, at worst, not in good taste.”

Pietersen, who was not tagged in the post, replied to Bhattacharya, suggesting he was blowing things out of proportion. “With the greatest respect, Joy, this you have gotten horribly wrong,’ said Pietersen. “It was light hearted banter with absolutely no negative intent whatsoever.

https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1312288646603714560

“Please if you’re going to make such a silly comment, at least tag me. That’s what people who aren’t clumsy & have good taste do!”

Bhattacharya stood by his assessment. “I apologize. I would have tagged you had I known it would be such a big deal,” he responded. “I stand by what I say, even if it was intended as humour, implying that a young Indian kid was dodging an important over as he was scared did not work for me. And absolutely, that is a personal call.”

The duo left things at that.

https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1312302554026594305