Ambati Rayudu recently made remarks about Virat Kohli’s high standards during the IPL 2024 pre-match show on Star Sports. He mentioned that while Kohli sets incredibly high standards, it can be challenging for younger players to match them, as Kohli always aims for top-level team performance. Rayudu stated, “When you have a stalwart and a legend like Virat Kohli, who has set really high standards. It’s very hard for the youngsters to be in a side like that and try and match his standard because he always wants the team to be performing at his level.”
However, the backlash Rayudu faced went beyond mere verbal attacks. His family, including his wife and two young children, became targets of horrifying threats and abuse. Rayudu’s friend, Sam Paul, took to Instagram to shed light on the extent of the abuse. According to Paul, Rayudu’s wife, Vidya, revealed that they had received death threats and deeply personal attacks, including threats of harm and rape directed at their daughters.
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Paul condemned the situation, emphasizing that it wasn’t just about online abuse but a grave criminal offence. He urged authorities to take strict action against the perpetrators and stressed the importance of upholding the values of freedom of speech enshrined in the constitution. He also criticized fans who supported such actions, highlighting the darker side of social media and its impact on celebrities and their families.