BCCI Clears Air: No Fight Between Kohli and Gambhir, No Ro-Ko Drop Plan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has addressed growing speculation about a rift between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batter Virat Kohli, as well as rumors that the coach wants the veteran dropped from the team.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia responded to questions surrounding the relationship between Gambhir and Kohli, which has been under scrutiny due to their well-documented on-field confrontations during previous Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons. The history of those clashes had sparked doubts over how the two would work together after Gambhir’s appointment as head coach of the Indian men’s senior team.

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Initially, all appeared cordial, with no visible signs of friction. However, speculation resurfaced following India’s disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The underwhelming series was followed by Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket and limit his international appearances to the ODI format, further fueling rumors of internal discord.

Responding to the chatter, Saikia dismissed suggestions of any personal conflict or rift influencing team decisions. He emphasized that selection matters and player roles are determined through collective discussions and performance assessments, not personal equations.

The BCCI’s clarification comes amid intense public debate over India’s transition phase and the future role of senior players like Kohli, as the team balances experience with long-term planning under Gambhir’s leadership.

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