Gambhir on working with Kohli: ‘We are going to be on the same page’

Gautam Gambhir, whose stint as the new India head coach will start with the tour of Sri Lanka later this month, has had his share of on-field run-ins with Virat Kohli in the past, but said their equation is “between two mature individuals” and not for public consumption. He also said that the two are “on the same page” when it comes to the shared goal of achieving success for the men’s national team.

“Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public,” Gambhir said on Monday when asked about Kohli in his first press conference since assuming his new role. “What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli, I think it is between two mature individuals.

“On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own team, for their own jersey, and want to come back in a winning dressing room. But, at the moment, I think you are representing India and representing 140 crore Indians and I am sure we are going to be on the same page and try and make India proud.

“I share a very good relationship off the field and we will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public what kind of a relationship [we have] I think it is between two individuals.”

Kohli and Gambhir had a scrap during an IPL match in 2013, when Gambhir was the Kolkata Knight Riders captain. Later, there was another incident when Gambhir was the Lucknow Super Giants mentor in IPL 2023. Gambhir, while celebrating LSG’s one-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was seen shushing the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a gesture which Kohli reprised at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium when RCB won the return fixture. Kohli and Gambhir had to be pulled apart by people around them in the end.

During IPL 2024, however, the two were friendly with each other in public. When asked about his relationship with Kohli, Gambhir had said “perception was far from reality”. And when Kohli was asked about it during the season, he said: “I hugged Naveen [ul-Haq, with whom he had an altercation in IPL 2023], and then the other day, Gauti bhai came and hugged me… We’re not kids anymore.”

Gambhir said that he and Kohli have had discussions in recent times, but didn’t want to divulge the details.

“How many chats have I had with him, after my announcement or before my announcement, during the games, after the games – I think sometimes just because we want headlines – it is not important,” Gambhir said. “The most important thing right now is that we both have got to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that is our job.

“He is a thorough professional, he is a world-class athlete, he is a world-class player. I have always said that. I have huge respect for him as a player and it is going to continue. And hopefully we can work together really well.”

Gambhir backs Rohit and Kohli to play 2027 ODI World Cup

Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win last month, have been picked in the ODI squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, but they are both past 35, and the next 50-over World Cup is only in 2027. How long will they be around? Gambhir has left that decision to the two players but feels they still “have a lot of cricket left in them” if they “can keep their fitness”.

“I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it’s the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well,” Gambhir said. “One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy [in 2025] and a big tour of Australia [in November 2024], obviously they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 [ODI] World Cup as well.

“But this is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it’s up to them as well, it’s up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team’s success. Because, ultimately, it’s the team that is important.

“But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket [left to play]. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible.”