Gambhir’s Strained Relationship With Kohli, Rohit Reportedly Impacts ODI Dressing Room Atmosphere
Reports claim Gambhir’s relationship with Kohli and Rohit has cooled, raising concern within the BCCI leadership.
A report has emerged claiming strained relations between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, casting a shadow over the team's dressing room atmosphere during the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. According to a Dainik Jagran article cited by multiple outlets, the once-cordial dynamic has turned "cold" since Gambhir took over from Rahul Dravid earlier this year, particularly after Kohli and Sharma's abrupt Test retirements in early 2025. The piece, quoting an anonymous BCCI source, suggests limited communication between the coach and the duo, exacerbating tensions that first surfaced during the recent ODI series in Australia, where Sharma reportedly had minimal interactions with chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
The discord reportedly intensified post the Australia tour, where Kohli endured twin ducks before rebounding with a half-century, while Sharma notched a ton in the decider—yet the pair's return to the white-ball fold has been marked by unease. Gambhir's history with Kohli, once fraught with on-field clashes during IPL stints and the 2011 World Cup, had seemingly thawed into mutual respect, evidenced by shared laughs in BCCI videos last year. However, recent viral clips of Sharma's animated post-match chat with Gambhir after the Ranchi ODI win and Kohli's apparent disregard for the coach during celebrations have fuelled speculation of deeper rifts. Social media backlash against Gambhir from fans of the veterans has further irked BCCI officials, who view the public spats as detrimental to team cohesion.
In response, the BCCI has convened an urgent meeting involving Gambhir, Agarkar, secretary Devajit Saikia, and joint secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, slated for Wednesday in Raipur ahead of the second ODI. While no players are expected to attend due to the match schedule, the agenda reportedly focuses on clarifying communication gaps, selection policies, and the veterans' roles leading to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sources indicate the board is "upset" not just with the internal friction but also with Gambhir's perceived over-criticism on social media, which has amplified fan divisions. A potential follow-up in Visakhapatnam for the series finale could address long-term planning, amid whispers that Kohli and Sharma might be urged to play the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy to regain rhythm.
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The episode highlights broader challenges in India's transitional phase, with Gambhir's no-nonsense approach clashing against the experience of two all-format icons who have anchored over 392 international appearances together. Despite their recent form—Kohli's 52nd ODI ton and Sharma's record 352nd six in Ranchi—the narrative risks overshadowing the 1-0 series lead. BCCI insiders emphasize that while the board values Gambhir's tactical acumen from his playing days, fostering unity is paramount, especially with white-ball rebuilds underway post-T20 World Cup success.
As the team travels to Raipur, all eyes will be on whether the meeting yields resolutions or deepens divides, with social media already abuzz with divided loyalties—some decrying "senior egos" and others slamming Gambhir's "arrogance." The saga underscores cricket's human element, where past rivalries and future uncertainties collide, potentially influencing India's path to the next global showpiece.
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