ENG vs IND: India coach drops BOMBSHELL on Virat Kohli & Gautam Gambhir's relation; Know here

Virat Kohli scored a half-century in ENG vs IND 2nd ODI in Cardiff.

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared his take on the rumours of communication issues between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir during ongoing ENG vs IND ODI series.

The rivalry between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir is something that the entire Indian cricket fraternity is aware of. Both of them have engaged in multiple verbal altercations in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In IPL 2013, Gambhir and Kohli had a war of words during a clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Later during RCB vs LSG clash in IPL 2023, Kohli had a verbal fight with LSG pacer Naveen ul Haq. After the match, LSG mentor Gambhir aggressively stepped in and confronted Kohli over the matter.

Since July 2024, Gambhir and Kohli have been working together since the former was appointed as India’s new head coach. Over the last two years, there have been many speculations about the internal clashes between Kohli and Gambhir.

Even in the ongoing ENG vs IND ODI series, rumours are rife that Gambhir and Kohli are avoiding communication with each other. However, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has rubbished such rumours.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir speak to each other at least 10 times a day: Sitanshu Kotak

In the post-match presentation of the 2nd ODI against England, Kotak was asked why Kohli and Gambhir are not seen speaking with each other in ongoing ENG vs IND ODI series. Responding to the question, Kotak said that these are just rumours. He also added Kohli and Gambhir spoke to each other at least ten times a day.

“Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir speak to each other at least 10 times a day. I don’t think he (Kohli) needs a bridge to communicate with the head coach. You asked about communication. I don’t know where you hear these things, but these are rumours,” he said.

“And Virat, basically, before going into batting, he talked about certain things. Because, Virat, I honestly say, as a batting coach, till the time he doesn’t feel anything, or if he doesn’t see anything, his batting shouldn’t be disturbed. And we shouldn’t say much, the way he bats,” Kotak added.

“But, mainly, how is his footwork going? Certain things, he asked me before. And then, after the nets, he was talking. Apart from that, what you are saying, I don’t know, where do the rumours come from, but they do come.”

“Virat, if you have seen, while he was batting only, he has sent a message also to us, and he has told the head coach that the short balls are actually not going through. So that we knew,” concluded Kotak.

Speaking about the ENG vs IND 2nd ODI, India lost the match by four wickets after failing to defend a 233-run total. Joe Root (99*) slammed a magnificent unbeaten fifty to propel England to a fabulous victory. Kohli, who got out cheaply in the opening game, slammed a half-century in the encounter.

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