Sunrisers Hyderabad quick Khaleel Ahmed has issued a clarification on Twitter after being criticised for his perceived send-off after dismissing Chennai Super Kings’ Dwayne Bravo during an IPL 2020 game.

Khaleel was seen seemingly letting out a chuckle after cleaning up Bravo in the CSK-SRH game on Tuesday, one of the two wickets he took in the game. Bravo, walking in at No.8, went for an almighty heave in the final over, but ended up with his stumps splayed. Khaleel celebrated the wicket with an amused look at the batsman, following it with a chuckle.

Khaleel's sheepish grin after getting Bravo with a half-tracker is your lede for the report.

— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) October 13, 2020

Not a nice gesture from Khaleel to put out a nakkalmaxx laugh after dismissing Bravo.

Bro, you just got smoked by a 20 year old in the last game. And today, by Jaddu who had the last laugh. Learn your place.

— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) October 13, 2020

pathetic behaviour by #khaleel on the ground.. other day he was messing around with #Tewatia.. today he smiled in such a bad way when #bravo got out.. 🙁

— 𝕾𝖆𝖐𝖘𝖍𝖎 (@sakshi_tweetz) October 13, 2020

This came two days after Khaleel was captured on television having an exchange with Rahul Tewatia in the final over of Rajasthan’s chase against Hyderabad. After the Bravo incident, the 22-year-old Khaleel copped flak on Twitter, with several questioning his mode of celebration after dismissing the all-rounder, the second-most capped T20 player in the world.

I wasn't laughing on Dj Bravo,there was some other reason,he is true legend, he is big brother to me 🤜🏽🤛🏽 #CSKvsSRH

— Khaleel Ahmed (@imK_Ahmed13) October 15, 2020

On Thursday, Khaleel issued a clarification, calling Bravo a “true legend” and his “big brother”. His tweet read: “I wasn’t laughing on Dj Bravo, there was some other reason, he is true legend, he is big brother to me[sic]”.

By the end of the game, it was Bravo’s team that had the last laugh, winning the game by 20 runs to bring up their third win of the tournament. They sit level on points with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL points table.