Virat Kohli, a renowned Indian batsman, commemorated 16 years of his illustrious international cricket career on August 18, 2024. In an exclusive interview, he shared insights into his preferred IPL opponent, favorite cricketers, and his remarkable journey in the world of cricket.
Gautam Gambhir, former Indian opener and current mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, has ignited controversy by criticizing former cricketers AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen’s leadership skills. Gambhir questioned the duo’s accomplishments as captains, stating that they did not achieve notable results. On the other hand, Gambhir defended Hardik Pandya, highlighting his IPL-winning record. Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has responded by accusing Gambhir of attempting to create controversy and expressing that he does not take Gambhir’s comments seriously.
Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has strongly criticized legendary South Africa batter AB de Villiers for his comments on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gambhir emphasized that de Villiers himself has a poor record as a captain and should not be criticizing Pandya, who has led Mumbai Indians to an IPL title.
Mumbai Indians’ dismal IPL 2024 season has brought to light concerns over Hardik Pandya’s leadership style. Despite replacing Rohit Sharma as skipper, Pandya has faced criticism from fans and reports of dressing room disquiet. His poor form, with no half-centuries and a subpar bowling performance, has further weakened his credibility. AB de Villiers, analyzing Pandya’s captaincy, believes it lacks authenticity and is unlikely to resonate with experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.
Legendary South African batter AB de Villiers has criticized Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s leadership style, suggesting that his ‘bravado’ and ‘fake’ intensity have contributed to the team’s poor performance this season. De Villiers believes that Pandya’s approach may have been suitable for his previous team, Gujarat Titans, but it has not been effective in a more experienced side like Mumbai Indians. The former RCB player pointed out that senior players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah prefer a calmer and more collective leadership style, which Pandya’s ‘ego-driven’ captaincy lacks. De Villiers drew parallels with Graeme Smith’s leadership, emphasizing that experienced players need a more supportive and collaborative captain rather than one who relies on posturing and chest-thumping. He also suggested that Pandya’s ‘fake it to make it’ mentality may have worked for him as a player, but it is not an effective strategy for a captain in a team with seasoned cricketers. With Mumbai Indians already eliminated from playoff contention and languishing near the bottom of the points table, De Villiers’ comments have sparked debate about the team’s future and the suitability of Pandya as captain.
AB de Villiers has slammed Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) decision to release Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal recently etched his name into IPL history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the tournament, a milestone he achieved by dismissing Mumbai Indians’ Mohammad Nabi. De Villiers, who shared the RCB dressing room with Chahal, described the spinner’s departure from the franchise as ‘heartbreaking’. Chahal, a key member of RCB’s squad, formed close bonds with both de Villiers and Virat Kohli both on and off the field. Despite his departure from the team, Chahal remains RCB’s leading wicket-taker, having claimed 139 wickets in 113 matches at an economy rate of 7.58.
