Speculation surrounding an alleged rift between Virat Kohli and Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has been firmly dismissed by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who described the reports as baseless rumours. The clarification comes after claims emerged that Kohli and Gambhir had barely interacted during India’s training sessions ahead of the ongoing ODI series against England.
The rumours gained traction after reports suggested that Gambhir spent time interacting with several members of the squad and support staff but was not seen speaking with Kohli during practice. This led to widespread speculation that the two former teammates were no longer on speaking terms, with some reports even claiming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had been advised to appoint a mediator between them.
Addressing the speculation, Kotak laughed off the reports and insisted that there is no communication gap between the Indian batting star and the head coach. “Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir speak to each other at least 10 times a day. I don’t think he needs a bridge to communicate with the head coach,” Kotak said, adding that the rumours had no basis in reality.
The batting coach also shed light on his own working relationship with Kohli, explaining that the veteran batter does not require constant technical guidance. According to Kotak, experienced players like Kohli are best left to prepare in their own way unless they specifically seek advice or there is an important technical issue that needs immediate attention.
Kotak revealed that his discussions with Kohli usually revolve around specific aspects of his batting, including footwork and match preparation. He recalled conversations before and after India’s training session in Cardiff, stressing that communication within the team remains open and professional.
Kohli responded to the outside noise with a composed performance in the second ODI against England, scoring a valuable half-century after being dismissed cheaply in the opening match of the series. His innings helped silence criticism and underlined his importance to India’s batting line-up.
With the three-match ODI series currently level at 1-1, both teams will now head into the decisive final ODI aiming to clinch the series. While attention remains on the on-field battle, Kotak’s comments appear to have put to rest speculation surrounding Kohli and Gambhir’s relationship, reaffirming that the focus within the Indian camp remains firmly on cricket.