The connection between India‘s head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting legend Virat Kohli has remained some of the debated subjects in world cricket, particularly following current shifts within the nationwide group’s construction. As India navigates a transitional part after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the highlight has intensified on how these two titans of the ODI World Cup 2011 win coexist inside the present setup.
Whereas social media narratives typically paint an image of lingering rigidity, the interior actuality of the dressing room continues to be a topic of intense public curiosity. On February 8, 2026, a BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia lastly addressed whether or not the perceived friction is a real concern or merely a byproduct of their high-profile historical past.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia units the document straight on Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir equation
Throughout a current look on the India Right this moment podcast, BCCI Secretary Saikia offered a definitive replace on the rapport between Kohli and Gambhir. Saikia dismissed the long-standing rumors of a rift, stating emphatically, “I’ve by no means seen them preventing. They’re in an excellent cordial relationship.”
When questioned concerning the notorious IPL 2023 conflict that many imagine laid the groundwork for a ‘chilly conflict,’ Saikia downplayed the incident, noting that he focuses on their interactions whereas representing the nation quite than franchise rivalries. He characterised the concept of a ‘bickering’ duo as extra of a public ‘notion’ than a dressing room actuality, reinforcing that each professionals are aligned towards a singular purpose for Indian cricket.
“I haven’t seen it. IPL? Possibly I didn’t see that match as a result of I used to be with them after they had been representing the nation. So, IPL: watching each match will not be potential. That notion is perhaps there, however Virat Kohli is at all times within the group. Gautam Gambhir can be there. We see the outcomes. Have you ever seen Virat Kohli not being part of the group?” Saikia added.
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Will Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the ODI World Cup 2027? BCCI secretary solutions
The dialogue additionally touched upon the sudden transition that noticed each Kohli and Rohit retire from Take a look at cricket in Might 2025 to focus solely on the 50-over format. Saikia debunked the idea that Gambhir’s desire for ‘younger blood’ pressured these legends out of the red-ball setup. He added that the board doesn’t intervene in such career-defining decisions.
Regardless of being moved to Grade B contracts because of their single-format standing, each senior professionals stay very important to India’s ODI World Cup 2027 roadmap. Saikia labeled reviews of Gambhir wanting them out of the ODI squad as garbage, pointing to their continued presence and efficiency within the group as the last word proof of their standing.
“No one can power a participant of the stature of Virat Kohli to vary and decide. He’s at that degree. He’s not an peculiar participant; he’s a legend in Indian cricket. No one can power him to determine except he chooses to. The board won’t intervene in any participant’s profession. Lots of people write garbage additionally. We can not touch upon garbage. We don’t see any such issues. These items had been by no means introduced up in any conferences,” Saikia concluded.
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