Rumours suggesting a rift between senior batter Virat Kohli and India head coach Gautam Gambhir during India's ODI series against England have been dismissed by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Addressing the media after India's defeat in the second ODI in Cardiff, Kotak rejected speculation circulating on social media that the two were not communicating with each other. He clarified that Kohli and Gambhir had spoken multiple times throughout the day, calling the reports baseless and exaggerated.

The speculation gained momentum after a few visuals from India's training session were widely shared online, with some social media users claiming they showed a lack of interaction between Kohli and Gambhir. Responding to those claims, Kotak said such clips are often taken out of context and do not reflect the actual atmosphere within the team. "Virat and Gautam, they must have talked 10 times today. I don't think they need a bridge," Kotak told reporters during the post-match press conference, dismissing suggestions of any differences between the two.

Kotak also explained the nature of his own discussions with Kohli before and after the batting session. He said the conversations were entirely focused on technical aspects of batting, particularly Kohli's footwork and match preparation. According to the batting coach, experienced players such as Kohli require minimal intervention unless they specifically seek advice. He added that the veteran batter initiated discussions on certain technical points before practice and continued those conversations after the nets, with no indication of any off-field issues affecting the dressing room environment.

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The India batting coach stressed that unnecessary speculation often emerges without any factual basis. He reiterated that coaching discussions with Kohli were limited to refining batting techniques and ensuring the batter remained comfortable with his approach. Kotak said he was unaware of how such rumours originated but acknowledged that social media frequently amplifies isolated moments into misleading narratives that do not accurately represent team dynamics.

On the field, Kohli responded positively after a modest outing in the opening ODI by producing a composed innings of 65 in the second match. He shared a valuable 67-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who also impressed with 66 off 71 deliveries. However, India's middle and lower order failed to build on the platform, and the visitors were bowled out for 233 after Jofra Archer removed Kohli at a crucial stage of the innings.

England comfortably chased down the target with more than five overs remaining, securing victory by four wickets and levelling the momentum in the series. Despite the defeat, Kohli's return to form was one of the positives for India heading into the remaining fixtures. Kotak's remarks also put to rest speculation surrounding the relationship between Kohli and Gambhir, reaffirming that the team's focus remains firmly on improving performances on the field rather than addressing unfounded off-field rumours.

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