The South African cricket crew’s triumphant homecoming after clinching the 2025 World Check Championship (WTC) title in opposition to Australia was anticipated to be a celebration of unity and nationwide pleasure. Nonetheless, the festivities took an sudden flip when a press convention remark by pacer Lungi Ngidi reignited the long-standing debate over criticism from former gamers. Ngidi, addressing the media, dismissed the critiques from ex-Proteas stars as “irrelevant,” sparking a social media storm—one which drew a pointy, witty response from the ever-outspoken Herschelle Gibbs.
The controversy erupted when Ngidi, reflecting on the criticism confronted by the present Proteas squad from South African cricket legends, acknowledged, “It’s actually irrelevant as a result of on the finish of the day, when I’m enjoying, it’s me on the market and never them. It’s in my sense disappointing as a result of they’ve been there earlier than they usually understand how laborious it’s so, and in that sense it’s actually disappointing to learn issues like that however aside from that in case you are picked to play, you continue to acquired a job to do and so that you gotta concentrate on that as the perfect you’ll be able to…” This candid response, supposed to close out the noise, as a substitute amplified it, as followers and pundits dissected Ngidi’s phrases.
Gibbs, often called a lot for his flamboyant batting as for his unfiltered opinions, was quickly tagged by a fan on X with a video of Ngidi’s remarks. True to type, Gibbs didn’t maintain again, responding with a pointed “you suppose I’m actually gonna fear about folks’s opinion … cry me a river.” The jibe immediately went viral, splitting the cricketing group between those that felt Gibbs was defending the correct to critique and others who believed former gamers ought to assist the brand new era.
you suppose I’m actually gonna fear about folks’s opinion .. cry me a river 😂😂
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) June 19, 2025
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Ngidi’s redemption arc within the WTC 2025 closing is available in full circle
Ngidi’s feedback got here within the wake of relentless scrutiny over his type and health main as much as the WTC closing. Critics, together with some ex-players, questioned his place within the aspect, citing inconsistent performances and harm issues. However when it mattered most, Ngidi delivered an distinctive efficiency within the closing in opposition to Australia, silencing many detractors. His means to rise beneath stress and contribute essential wickets was instrumental in South Africa’s historic victory, marking their first ICC trophy in 27 years.
The episode has reignited the talk in regards to the position of former gamers in shaping public opinion and crew morale. Whereas Ngidi’s “irrelevant criticism” comment could have been a protect in opposition to negativity, Gibbs’ sharp retort reminded everybody that the dialogue between generations—nevertheless contentious—stays an integral a part of cricket’s evolving narrative.
Additionally READ: WTC Final 2025: Complete list of winners and the details of prize money
