Gautam Gambhir Blasts AB de Villiers Over RCB Star's Comments On Hardik Pandya
IPL 2024: KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has criticised AB de Villiers for his comments on Hardik Pandya, stating that de Villiers is not qualified to comment on Pandya's captaincy since he has never captained a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gambhir's outburst comes after de Villiers said that Hardik Pandya's on-field persona is 'not a real one' and that the senior Mumbai Indians (MI) players had not accepted his character.
Gambhir defended Hardik, stating that it was normal for MI to struggle in the first season of Hardik's captaincy. He argued that Hardik needed time to implement his ideas at MI and should ignore the critics.
"It's not important what experts are saying, it's?their job to say something or the other.?My opinion has always been?that you judge someone's captaincy by his team's performance.?If MI had performed well (this year), all experts would have?been praising?him.?Today?MI?have not performed well?and?that's why everyone is talking about it," Gambhir said on Sportskeeda.
"It's important to?realise?that Hardik Pandya has come from some other franchise?so?it takes time, give?him some time.?Suddenly, you expect him to deliver?at?Mumbai,?after captaining for two years?at?Gujarat.?He could have delivered, I am not saying he couldn't have?but?if?he?hasn't, it's fine, give him a bit more time," he added.
Gambhir criticised Kevin Pietersen and AB de Villiers, stating that they did not have impressive records as captains. He argued that de Villiers had not achieved anything in the IPL besides his individual runs, which made him unqualified to lecture others about captaincy.
"Judging him every day, every match, everything is not right.?Those experts who have?criticised?him,?they?should see their?own?performances when they have captained a side.?Whether?it's AB de Villiers or Kevin Pietersen.?I don't think?in their career?there is any performance of leadership, nothing.?If you go and see their records, it's worse than any other leader," Gambhir said.
"So, you should compare oranges to oranges, not apples to oranges," Gambhir concluded.
AB de Villiers advised Hardik Pandya not to mix his captaincy style from Gujarat Titans (GT) with his role at MI. De Villiers commented on Hardik's leadership, calling it unsuitable for leading a team like MI. Under Hardik's captaincy, MI became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs qualification race, sitting seventh in the points table with just 4 wins in 12 matches.
"Hardik Pandya's captaincy style is quite bravado. It's ego-driven in a way, chest out, but when you play with?a lot of?experienced players who've been around for ages, they don't buy into that. It worked for a young GT team," De Villiers said.
De Villiers later clarified his position, stating that his comments were taken out of context. He explained that he maintained a fake persona on the field to gain a competitive edge against opponents.
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"I very clearly stated and?I?will state?this?again?--?I?absolutely?love?the way?Hardik Pandya plays his game.?I love the way he captains. All I can say?is,?his style of captaincy is something that he has certainly worked on.?It's not something that you can?just?walk out of the door?and?you are a brave captain," De Villiers said.
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"Why?I said it's always not genuine?is because I played?exactly?the same way.?I was not the soft-spoken, genuine AB de Villiers that I was at my home.?The guy you saw on the field was?in?a?way?'an act'.?Sometimes, you?have to?put up a front and show the opposition that you are a force to reckon with. That's what Hardik Pandya does. I am saying that style is not always the easiest?style to adapt to, especially for some senior players," he added.
However, Gambhir did not seem convinced by the clarification and continued?to?criticise?the former South African captain for his comments. Hardik Pandya's MI have been knocked out of the tournament and will play Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their last group stage match of IPL 2024 on Friday, 17 May.
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