Virat Kohli produced another memorable ODI innings at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, smashing an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against West Indies.
The Indian star struck nine sixes during his innings and guided India to an eight-wicket victory in the first ODI.
It was Kohli’s 55th ODI century, and he also became the fastest batter to complete 15,000 runs in ODI cricket, reaching the landmark in his 303rd innings.
However, after the match, a social media post from former England captain Kevin Pietersen created another interesting talking point.
Pietersen was clearly praising Kohli, but his specific reference to 55 matches led some fans to wonder whether there was also a cheeky Ambati Rayudu reference hidden in the post.
Kevin Pietersen Reacts to Virat Kohli’s 55th ODI Century
Pietersen took to social media after Kohli’s brilliant century and expressed his admiration for the Indian batter’s extraordinary record.
He wrote:
“55 ODI 100s for Virat!!!! 55?!?!?!?! Many cricketers have good careers by just playing 55 games. He Is A Genius and I’m buzzing for him!”
The main purpose of Pietersen’s post was clearly to highlight the scale of Kohli’s achievement.
Scoring 55 centuries in a single international format is remarkable when many international cricketers do not even get the opportunity to play 55 matches.
But one particular number immediately caught the attention of some cricket fans: 55.
55 ODI 100s for Virat!!!!
55?!?!?!?!
Many cricketers have good careers by just playing 55 games.
He Is A Genius and I’m buzzing for him! ❤️
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) September 28, 2026
Why Fans Connected Pietersen’s Comment With Ambati Rayudu
The connection is simple.
Ambati Rayudu played exactly 55 ODIs for India during his international career.
That coincidence led some fans on social media to interpret Pietersen’s comment—“many cricketers have good careers by just playing 55 games”—as a possible cheeky reference to Rayudu.
There is another reason why fans made that connection so quickly.
Pietersen and Rayudu have shared some memorable exchanges on television in the past, including the famous IPL 2024 incident when Pietersen jokingly called the former Indian batter a “joker”.
Ambati Rayudu Played Exactly 55 ODIs for India
Rayudu represented India in 55 ODIs between 2013 and 2019.
The right-handed batter scored 1,694 runs at an impressive average of 47.05, including three centuries and 10 half-centuries.
His highest ODI score was an unbeaten 124.
| Ambati Rayudu ODI Career | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 55 |
| Innings | 50 |
| Runs | 1,694 |
| Average | 47.05 |
| Centuries | 3 |
| Half-centuries | 10 |
| Highest Score | 124* |
So the numerical coincidence is certainly interesting.
Kohli reached 55 ODI centuries, while Rayudu’s entire ODI career consisted of 55 matches.
That is exactly why Pietersen’s wording attracted attention.
Rayudu’s International Career Ended After 2019 World Cup Controversy
Rayudu’s ODI career remains closely associated with India’s selection controversy ahead of the 2019 ODI World Cup.
For a considerable period before the tournament, Rayudu was considered one of India’s main options for the No.4 batting position.
However, when India’s World Cup squad was announced, the selectors picked Vijay Shankar ahead of him.
Then chief selector MSK Prasad famously referred to Shankar’s “three-dimensional” qualities while explaining the selection.
Rayudu responded with his now-famous social media post about ordering “3D glasses” to watch the World Cup.
He was subsequently overlooked even when India required replacement players during the tournament and announced his retirement from international cricket shortly afterwards, although he later reversed the retirement decision.
Rayudu never played another international match for India.
Kevin Pietersen and Ambati Rayudu’s Famous IPL 2024 Exchange
The latest speculation also gained attention because Pietersen and Rayudu already have some history of friendly television banter.
During IPL 2024, Rayudu had changed from wearing a Rajasthan Royals waistcoat before the final to a Kolkata Knight Riders one after KKR won the title.
Pietersen noticed the change during the post-match broadcast and jokingly called Rayudu a “joker.”
The exchange went viral on social media.
It was presented in a light-hearted broadcast setting rather than as a serious personal dispute, but it created a memorable dynamic between the two former international cricketers.
That history is another reason fans were quick to connect Pietersen’s latest “55 games” comment with Rayudu.
Rayudu Has Also Been Vocal About Virat Kohli and RCB
Rayudu has regularly expressed strong opinions about Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Virat Kohli during his work as a cricket expert.
Some of those comments have generated debate among supporters, particularly during IPL discussions involving RCB and Chennai Super Kings.
That background added another layer to the reaction surrounding Pietersen’s post.
Still, there is no evidence in the latest post that Pietersen was responding directly to any specific Rayudu comment about Kohli.
Was Pietersen Really Mocking Rayudu?
There is enough coincidence to understand why fans made the connection.
Kohli scored his 55th ODI century.
Pietersen specifically talked about players building good careers by playing 55 matches.
Rayudu happened to finish his ODI career with exactly 55 appearances.
Add the previous television banter between Pietersen and Rayudu, and the theory naturally became a talking point on social media.
But there is still no direct evidence that Pietersen deliberately targeted Rayudu.
His post did not name the former India batter, nor did he subsequently confirm that the line was aimed at him.
So the most accurate conclusion is that Kevin Pietersen’s post was definitely a tribute to Virat Kohli, while the supposed Ambati Rayudu dig remains an interesting fan interpretation rather than a confirmed attack.
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