Indian Cricket Team (ICT) are about to start a new chapter under the guidance of their new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, whose first assignment will be the India vs Sri Lanka T20Is later this month. With Gambhir taking on the role of head coach, many are curious about the dynamics between Gambhir and India star batter Virat Kohli, given their history of on-field confrontations. Amidst this situation, a Cricbuzz report claims that Kohli has assured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that his past differences with Gambhir will not affect their professional relationship within the Indian cricket team.
The BCCI announced India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka on July 18 (Thursday). Suryakumar Yadav, replacing Hardik Pandya as the captain, will lead India in the T20Is, while Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue in the ODIs. Virat Kohli, who was initially expected to be rested, is also included in the ODI squad.
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Virat Kohli Comfortable Working With Gautam Gambhir Despite Past Differences
Former Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir and star Royal Challengers Bengaluru player Virat Kohli, both known for their aggressive on-field behaviour, have had several intense clashes on the field during several Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Despite their fiery history, the two seemed to have reconciled when they met during an IPL 2024 match, following Gambhir's transition to a mentoring role with KKR.
Soon after the squad announcement on July 18, a Cricbuzz report stated that Virat Kohli has expressed his comfort in working with new head coach Gautam Gambhir, despite their past IPL altercations. Kohli assured BCCI officials that their previous issues would not impact their professional relationship. "Kohli is comfortable working with Gambhir and has communicated this clearly to the relevant BCCI officials. Despite their history, marked by a bitter confrontation captured by cameras during IPL games in the past, Kohli is believed to have stated that previous issues will not affect their professional relationship in the dressing room," says the Cricbuzz report.
“Kohli, who, like Gambhir, is from Delhi, assured the concerned parties that he recognizes both are working towards the country's interests and is ready to move on from earlier disagreements,” the report adds.
Gambhir took over the coaching reins from the Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended with India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory. In Gautam Gambhir’s debut series as head coach, India will tour Sri Lanka for a three-T20I match series, beginning on July 27, followed by a three-ODI series starting on August 2.