Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid has come out swinging against rumors of a rift between him and captain Sanju Samson. The speculation started after a video surfaced showing the team’s dugout before a Super Over against Delhi Capitals. In the clip, Dravid appears to be discussing strategy with players, while Samson stands apart, seemingly uninterested. Fans took to social media to speculate about tension between the two.
One fan even took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out the apparent divide. “I knew there was definitely a rift within the setup when there were absolutely no discussions or chat in the dugout before the Super Over. Everyone was standing quite in a circle in the dugout. Look at Sanju’s hand signal in the first video, he is deliberately ignoring everyone,” the fan posted.
When questioned about the rumors before today’s match against Lucknow Super Giants, Dravid dismissed the claims. “I don’t know where these stories come from. Sanju and I are on the same page. He’s a key part of the team and is involved in every discussion and decision,” Dravid said.
The team atmosphere is positive, he added. Dravid was full of praise for the players’ hard work. “If you lose a match, you face criticism. We can take it on the chin, but we can’t do anything about baseless stories,” he said, acknowledging that players feel the pain of not performing well.
The Crucial Match Against Lucknow
Rajasthan Royals face off against Lucknow Super Giants today at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The match is part of a double-header, with kickoff at 7:30 PM. The team’s recent loss to Delhi Capitals still lingers, with the Super Over defeat leaving a bitter taste.
The Royals’ inability to score 9 runs in the final over and then just 11 in the Super Over cost them the match. Dravid’s comments come as the team looks to bounce back from that disappointment. The coach’s reassurance about the team’s unity will likely be music to the fans’ ears.
A Deeper Look at the Rumors
While Dravid has downplayed the rumors, the viral video did raise eyebrows. It showed a tense moment in the dugout, with Samson seemingly detached from the team’s discussion. Fans were quick to jump to conclusions, speculating about a possible rift between the coach and captain.
To understand team dynamics and address speculation directly, Dravid’s response is – the team is united and focused on the game. As the Royals take on Lucknow, all eyes will be on the team’s performance, and whether they can turn their season around.