Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, who is part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) commentary panel, had to clarify his comment for Khaleel Ahmed on Twitter. The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Khaleel had got cramps during the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday.

The heat of Dubai was making it tough for the players from both sides. Even MS Dhoni was seen struggling in the last few overs. When Pietersen saw Khaleel getting cramps, he jokingly said the pacer might be faking it to avoid bowling in the end. Dhoni was still on the crease in a chase of 165 runs, and the ex-England cricketer wanted to slip in a joke in a tense situation. 

Pietersen's comment was in jest and he didn't mean to undermine Ahmed as a bowler. But the former Team Director of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Joy Bhattacharjya felt the comment should have been avoided.

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Joy, who was a sports producer, said, "No KP. No matter what happens, Khaleel was not faking a cramp to avoid bowling his last over. That's unfair!".

He added another tweet and wrote, "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 had to explain his side and he convinced Bhattacharjya that the comment wasn't in bad taste. "With the greatest respect, Joy, this you have gotten horribly wrong. It was light hearted banter with absolutely no negative intent whatsoever.

"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!", he replied.

Joy apologized for not tagging Pietersen and tried to end the matter there.