NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers found himself in the midst of controversy after his remarks on Hardik Pandya's captaincy, prompting him to set the record straight in a recent video on social media.
De Villiers had previously commented on Pandya's leadership style, suggesting that it was not always "genuine" and somewhat "ego-driven." However, he felt that his words were taken out of context.
Addressing the issue in a candid video, De Villiers expressed disappointment, emphasizing that certain comments were cherry-picked while the broader context was ignored. "It's a shame that journalism and reporting has got so low...taking some of those comments out and leaving the rest," he lamented.
The Proteas legend took the opportunity to reaffirm his admiration for Pandya's captaincy, clarifying that his intention was never to disparage him.
"I absolutely love the way Hardik Pandya plays his game. I love the way he captains," De Villiers asserted, acknowledging the effort Pandya has put into honing his leadership skills.
Further elaborating on his earlier statement regarding Pandya's genuineness as a captain, De Villiers drew parallels with his own approach to the game.
"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," he explained, shedding light on the complexities of on-field persona versus off-field demeanor.
As MI gear up for their final league stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, the clarification from De Villiers offers a nuanced perspective on the intricacies of cricketing leadership and the challenges faced by captains in maintaining a balance between authenticity and assertiveness on the field.
