'When there's smoke, there's fire' - AB de Villiers addresses alleged dressing room rift in Indian team
"I know there have been some rumours," said Villiers.
India lost the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) by 1-3 to Australia after they lost the final Test in Sydney by six wickets. With this, Australia reclaimed the trophy after a decade and India are officially out of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. After winning the first Test in Perth, India could not hold the momentum and were dominated by the Aussies throughout the series.
On the other hand, several reports emerged that there has been a rift between Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and players within the dressing room. It was added that a senior player who was addressed as 'Mr Fix it,' expressed a desire to hold the interim Captain’s position. Former South Africa batter, AB de Villiers addressed the conundrum and said that the issues arrive when players lose faith in each other.
"I know there have been some rumours. I'm not surprised. When there's smoke, there's fire. I've been part of dressing rooms where it's been hostile. Especially when you're away from home, you're missing your family, and you're not playing the best cricket of your career," De Villiers said in a video posted on his 'X' handle.
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"The dressing room is crucial, especially away from home. It's easier at home. I have no doubt that the Indian team dressing room might have lost that a little bit over the last weeks in Australia. When you start losing faith in each other, you might as well sit on the sides and hand over the trophy. I don't have facts with regard to the Indian dressing room. I'll wait for facts to see who's been niggling with who," he added.
South Africa became first team to qualify for WTC Final
Speaking of the World Test Championship final, South Africa were the first team to reach the final after beating Pakistan in the first Test of the ongoing series. As Australia emerged victorious by 3-1 against India, their next two-match Test series tour to Sri Lanka has become a dead rubber.
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