MUMBAI: The rumour industry had been working overtime ever since it was announced that former opener Gautam Gambhir will be the head coach for India. His firebrand altercations with batting talisman Virat Kohli in the IPL (2013 KKR vs RCB) and 2023 (LSG vs RCB) were probably the reasons for that.
There was more history. Gambhir was dropped from the side in 2016 after the Rajkot Test against England and KL Rahul, who was reportedly still unfit, made a curious return as opener. Incidentally, Kohli was the captain then.
However, on a rainy Monday in Mumbai, it seemed like plenty of water had flown under the bridge. Ahead of the team’s departure to Sri Lanka for a six-match white-ball series (three T20Is and three ODIs), the gritty former left-handed opener put theories that suggested it will be a difficult dressing room with him and Virat in it, to rest.
“What kind of relationship I share with Virat Kohli, I think it is between two mature individuals. It may be good for TRP, but it’s not public,” Gambhir said and justified the run-ins with the superstar batter by adding, “On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own team, their own jersey, and want to come back in a winning dressing room.”
Putting his India hat on, Gambhir further stressed, “But you are representing India and 140 crore Indians now, and I am sure we are going to be on the same page and try and make India proud.”
That their relationship was not in cold storage was evident during the 2024 IPL when both met cordially and Kohli, targeting headline seekers, had famously said, “logon ka masala khatam” during an event.
Gambhir was asked if he and Kohli had chatted after he was named coach and he stressed, “How many chats have I had with him, after my announcement or before my announcement, during the games, after the games…sometimes just because we want headlines…it is not important.”
But he reiterated the respect he has for the man whom he gave away his Man of the Match award to after Kohli’s first international hundred in 2009 in Kolkata.
“He is a thorough professional, a world-class athlete, a world-class player. I have huge respect for him as a player and it is going to continue. And hopefully we can work together really well.”
Another player, Gambhir will have to work closely with is Rohit Sharma, who has retired from T20Is, like Kohli, but will continue to lead India in Tests and ODIs. And he hoped that Rohit and Kohli still have a lot of cricket left in them.
“They have both shown they can deliver on the big stage, be it the T20 World Cup or 50-over World Cup. One thing I can be clear of is that both have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy and a big tour of Australia coming up, they would be motivated. If they can keep their fitness, the 2027 ODI World Cup as well.”
For the record, Kohli will be 39 in 2027, and Rohit will be 40.
