With Gautam Gambhir assuming the role of head coach for the Indian cricket team, questions arose about his relationship with Virat Kohli, known for their past on-field disputes.
Following Rahul Dravid’s departure, Gambhir’s appointment seemed natural given his impressive work in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over recent years. Kohli’s agreement to participate in Bharat’s ODI series against Sri Lanka marks the first occasion he will collaborate with Gambhir in the national team setup.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Kohli has reassured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that his past differences with Gambhir will not affect their professional relationship within the team. Both players are united in their aim to enhance the Indian team’s performance, alleviating any concerns the board might have.
Gambhir and Kohli are both passionate players who have clashed on the field as captains of opposing IPL teams and as senior figures within their franchises. However, their relationship appeared amicable during an IPL 2024 match, where Gambhir, now a mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders, interacted positively with Kohli.
A few months ago, Gambhir commented on his bond with Kohli, stating that public perception diverges significantly from reality. “The perception is far away from the reality. My relationship with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to the public,” Gambhir said.
Kohli also addressed the public’s reaction to his interactions with Gambhir, particularly after hugging Naveen-ul-Haq and Gambhir. “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over, so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore,” Kohli remarked at a Puma event.
Initially, neither Kohli nor captain Rohit Sharma was expected to play in the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, recognizing the significance of Gambhir’s debut series as head coach, both players made themselves available for selection.
