AB de Villiers slams Team India for mixing politics in cricket amid Asia Cup row

Former South African dashing cricketer and cricket analyst AB de Villiers has slammed the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian cricket team for mixing politics in cricket after the Indian players decided not to collect the trophy from the ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi.

It’s important to note that Team India decided not to collect the trophy from Naqvi. Interestingly, the ACC Chief left the podium with the trophy and Team India’s medals to his hotel. This wasn’t received well by the BCCI and the Indian cricketing fraternity.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers felt sad to watch the whole Asia Cup row. He went on to assert that politics should stay aside from sports, adding that it was quite an awkward moment for the cricketers, eventually.

"Team India sort of weren't happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don't feel that belongs in sport. Politics should stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is. Quite sad to see that, but hopefully they will sort things out in the future. It does put the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, and that's what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end," AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

Additionally, the former South African also heaped praise on the Indian cricket team for playing an aggressive brand of cricket, before heading to the ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

"Let's focus on what's most important (the cricket itself). India is looking really, really strong. Building up to that big T20 World Cup. Remember, it's not too far away. And they look like they've got a lot of talent, and they play the big moments well. So fantastic (to watch)," he added.

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