Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's Relationship Clarified by India's Batting Coach

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has addressed rumors regarding a rift between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, confirming that their relationship is strong. Despite speculation arising from their lack of interaction during practice, Kotak emphasized their frequent communication. Meanwhile, the ODI series against England saw India falter in the second match, raising concerns about the team's performance and Rohit Sharma's future. Read on for more insights into the ongoing series and the dynamics within the Indian cricket team.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 17, 2026, 09:35 IST

Kohli and Gambhir Relationship Under Scrutiny

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that there are no issues between Virat Kohli and coach Gautam Gambhir. Speculations about a rift between the two have circulated among cricket enthusiasts for some time. When Gambhir took on the role of head coach for India, Kohli had already dismissed these rumors. Recently, the speculation intensified after reports indicated that Kohli and Gambhir did not engage in conversation during a practice session prior to the first ODI against England. Although Gambhir observed Kohli during the net session, he did not interact with him, leading to further conjecture. Instead, it was Kotak who spoke with Kohli, which added fuel to the fire. However, Kotak has now put these rumors to rest, stating, “Virat and Gautam must have spoken ten times today. I don’t think they need a bridge,” during a post-match press conference following the second ODI.

Regarding his conversation with Kohli during the net session, Kotak mentioned, “Before batting, Virat discussed certain aspects. As a batting coach, I believe that if he doesn’t feel anything is wrong or doesn’t see any issues, we shouldn’t interfere with his batting. We should keep our comments minimal, considering his batting style.” He added that Kohli inquired about his footwork and other details before and after the nets, expressing uncertainty about the origins of the rumors.

England Equalizes Series with Impressive Victory

India secured a solid victory against England in the first ODI, but the hosts made a strong comeback, winning by four wickets. The Indian batting lineup struggled again, managing only 233 runs, which England chased down comfortably, thanks to Joe Root's unbeaten 99. Kohli performed well, scoring 66 runs, while Shreyas Iyer matched his score. However, the rest of the team, particularly Rohit Sharma, underperformed, raising concerns as reports suggest that the final ODI at Lord's might mark Rohit Sharma's last appearance in the series.