A friendly crossover between cricket and football turned into social media gold when star Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav posted pictures of Team India’s meet-up with Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim. The event, held at United’s Carrington training ground, was all about sporting spirit until former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen chimed in with a cheeky jab that sparked a hilarious exchange online.
Kuldeep, clearly thrilled by the opportunity, took to X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Sharing football knowledge with the man who’s redefining the game🙌🏻 #RubenAmorim.” The post included several pictures of the team interacting with Manchester United players, coaches and staff. His joy, however, was met with a sarcastic swipe from Pietersen who replied, “Very very very poor football team”.
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Given Manchester United’s rough patch in the recent Premier League season, finishing 15th, dangerously close to relegation, Pietersen’s jibe hit home. A longtime Chelsea fan, Kevin Pietersen couldn’t resist poking fun, especially with Chelsea enjoying a far better season, having secured fourth place and a Club World Cup victory.
Kuldeep, though, was quick to respond with class and warmth. He responded, “Very, very good human being, just like you ,” reminding everyone that sportsmanship can still shine through the banter. Their easy camaraderie stems from their time together at Delhi Capitals in the IPL and that bond clearly surfaced in this light-hearted exchange.
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The original post had been shared by the BCCI with the caption “United in Manchester,” capturing moments from the Adidas-sponsored session, which brought together stars from both the sports. In the images, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were seen joining in the football fun, while Mohammed Siraj was snapped bowling to defender Harry Maguire. Adidas, which sponsors both the Indian cricket team and Manchester United, facilitated the meet.
Other viral pictures from the event showed Jasprit Bumrah in deep conversation with Mason Mount and Maguire, Siraj hanging out with Amad Diallo, and Gill posing with United’s playmaker Bruno Fernandes. One of the highlights was a photo of the two head coaches Ruben Amorim and Gautam Gambhir posing together, with Gambhir beaming as a proud United fan.
The event ended with a memorable joint photograph featuring players and support staff from both the sides, marking a true celebration of athletic collaboration. But it was the Pietersen-Kuldeep banter that stole the show, proving once again that sport, no matter the field, always comes with its fair share of wit, rivalry and heart.
