Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid has responded to the swirling rumours of his fractured relationship with captain Sanju Samson, addressing the controversy head-on throughout a press convention forward of their essential IPL 2025 encounter in opposition to Lucknow Tremendous Giants (LSG). The hypothesis arose following viral footage from a current nail-biting Tremendous Over defeat in opposition to Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 16, which ignited considerations about group concord.
Is there a rift between Rahul Dravid and Sanju Samson?
The contentious video clip depicted Dravid engrossed in a huddle with a number of Rajasthan Royals group members, seemingly strategizing for the Tremendous Over. Conspicuously absent from this dialogue was skipper Samson, who was seen standing aside. When prompted by a teammate to hitch the huddle, Samson declined with a dismissive hand gesture. This temporary second was seized upon by eagle-eyed followers on social media, who interpreted Samson’s physique language as a possible indicator of disinterest or underlying rigidity with the teaching employees, notably Dravid.
The viral nature of the clip fuelled intense hypothesis throughout varied social media platforms. Theories ranged from a potential breakdown in communication between the captain and coach to considerations about Samson’s future management position inside the franchise, with some even suggesting a speculative transfer to rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The perceived lack of cohesive interplay inside the dugout previous to the essential Tremendous Over additional exacerbated the notion of a divided Rajasthan camp.
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Rahul Dravid responds to the rumours of rift with Sanju Samson
Nonetheless, talking to the media on the eve of their pivotal conflict with LSG, a visibly agency Rahul Dravid minced no phrases in dismissing the rumours. “I don’t know the place these experiences are coming from. Sanju and I are on the identical web page,” Dravid asserted, emphasizing the integral position Samson performs inside the group construction and his lively involvement in all strategic choices and group discussions.
Whereas acknowledging the group’s current underwhelming performances within the event, which sees them languishing within the backside half of the factors desk, Dravid attributed the following criticism to their on-field outcomes relatively than any inside friction. “Generally, while you lose video games and issues don’t go proper, you face criticism and we are able to take it on our performances, however we are able to’t do something about this baseless stuff,” Dravid said. He additional emphasised the sturdy group spirit inside the Royals squad, praising the gamers’ dedication and arduous work behind the scenes.
Dravid additionally make clear the collaborative nature of decision-making inside the group, explaining that methods, together with group choice, and tactical approaches, are formulated by means of collective enter from the teaching employees, analysts, and crucially, the gamers themselves, together with captain Samson.
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