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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 during a press conference ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The speculation arose following viral footage from a recent nail-biting Super Over defeat against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 16, which ignited concerns about team harmony.
Is there a rift between Rahul Dravid and Sanju Samson?
The contentious video clip depicted Dravid engrossed in a huddle with several Rajasthan Royals team members, seemingly strategizing for the Super Over. Conspicuously absent from this discussion was skipper Samson, who was seen standing apart. When prompted by a teammate to join the huddle, Samson declined with a dismissive hand gesture. This brief moment was seized upon by eagle-eyed fans on social media, who interpreted Samson’s body language as a potential indicator of disinterest or underlying tension with the coaching staff, particularly Dravid.
The viral nature of the clip fuelled intense speculation across various social media platforms. Theories ranged from a possible breakdown in communication between the captain and coach to concerns about Samson’s future leadership role within the franchise, with some even suggesting a speculative move to rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The perceived lack of cohesive interaction within the dugout prior to the crucial Super Over further exacerbated the perception of a divided Rajasthan camp.
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Rahul Dravid responds to the rumours of rift with Sanju Samson
However, speaking to the media on the eve of their pivotal clash with LSG, a visibly firm Rahul Dravid minced no words in dismissing the rumours. “I don’t know where these reports are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page,” Dravid asserted, emphasizing the integral role Samson plays within the team structure and his active involvement in all strategic decisions and team discussions.
While acknowledging the team’s recent underwhelming performances in the tournament, which sees them languishing in the bottom half of the points table, Dravid attributed the ensuing criticism to their on-field results rather than any internal friction. “Sometimes, when you lose games and things don’t go right, you face criticism and we can take it on our performances, but we can’t do anything about this baseless stuff,” Dravid stated. He further emphasized the strong team spirit within the Royals squad, praising the players’ dedication and hard work behind the scenes.
Dravid also shed light on the collaborative nature of decision-making within the team, explaining that strategies, including team selection, and tactical approaches, are formulated through collective input from the coaching staff, analysts, and crucially, the players themselves, including captain Samson.
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