Virat Kohli with Ajit Agarkar & Gautam Gambhir | PC- AFP
Everything is not fine in Indian Cricket at the moment! The Men in Blue are coming off embarrassing T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, as they look to bounce back in the three-match ODIs vs ENG, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah returning to join Gautam Gambhir & co.
Kohli, who just plays the 50-over format for India, missed the previous assignment against Afghanistan due to an unforeseen hamstring injury. However, he has healed it by putting in hard yards in the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.
The Chase Master last played professional cricket during the IPL 2026, where he scored 675 for RCB, helping them win back-to-back titles.
Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir not in talking terms!
Now, in the Indian setup, Virat Kohli is no longer the alpha, with the reins of the ODI team in Gautam Gambhir's and Shubman Gill's hands. Although he shares a great bond with the captain, the Kohli-Gambhir love-hate relationship goes way back.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Not Guaranteed 2027 WC Spot By Gambhir’s Management, Other Senior Players Also Sniped
The volatile relationship between the head coach and the prime batter has taken a new low in England. Reported by Raysports, the two heavyweights weren’t seen in talking terms during Team India’s first official nets before the IND vs ENG 1st ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
"When Gambhir was onlooking the nets, Virat maintained his distance and was seen on the other end of the ground working on his fielding and fitness drills. When Kohli went into the nets, Gambhir was not seen keeping an eye on him," the Raysports report stated.
Head coach's ally asked to keep an eye on Virat Kohli
According to the report, not Gautam Gambhir but India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was asked to keep an eye on Virat Kohli.
"When Virat Kohli finished his nets, Sitanshu Kotak went up to Virat and had a word with him. Although Gautam Gambhir kept an eye and spoke to Rohit Sharma along with other senior players, at no point in time did he speak to Kohli in the nets," the report added.
Having said that, the star batter has put long hours while preparing for the big series in England, but he looked a bit scratchy in practice sessions, with local net bowlers getting him cleaned up in nets.
All about Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli's volatile relationship
Hailing from Delhi, both Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have played a lot of cricket together, both for their state team and India. Interestingly, the current head coach handed over his Player of the Match award when a young Kohli scored his maiden international century vs Sri Lanka in 2009.
However, the two have shared some intense moments on the field as well. In IPL 2013, Gambhir and Kohli got into an altercation after the latter’s dismissal in a KKR vs RCB match. Ten years later, Gambhir, LSG’s mentor, had a heated argument with the RCB star after a closely fought fixture.
If reports are to be believed, the head coach and the star batter do not get along on a lot of things in the dressing room, even though no official comment has ever been made on the matter. Even the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had issued a statement on the matter.
Also Read: Before Virat-Rohit's Last Appearance, Jay Shah's ICC Discussing Massive Change For 2027 World Cup
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