Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli avoids Gautam Gambhir after the match, with India coach's response captured on camera (Credits :"X/Screen grab from BCCI")

Overview:

Kohli, busy with his phone, seemed to ignore Gambhir, which was surprising considering their earlier exchange.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, once known for their bond, now seem to have grown apart. Reports have hinted at a troublesome relationship between the two, and a moment after the first ODI added more fuel to fire. Kohli’s stunning century, marking his return to India, was a highlight, as he reminded fans of his prime form. However, his behaviour after collecting the Player of the Match award sparked a fresh debate.

As Virat Kohli made his way up to the dressing room, a camera caught him passing by head coach Gautam Gambhir without acknowledging him. Kohli, busy with his phone, seemed to ignore Gambhir, which was surprising considering their earlier exchange. Following Kohli’s brilliant knock of 135, his 52nd ODI century at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, Gambhir, along with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and bowling coach Morne Morkel, gave him a standing ovation. Gambhir even shared a hug with Kohli in the dressing room. But hours later, the situation seems to have changed.

The dynamics between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have become a subject of intense speculation. On social media, some have pointed fingers at Gambhir, claiming he played a role in Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, although the actual reasons might be more complex. Furthermore, India’s disappointing form in Test cricket, with five losses in their last seven matches, has fueled public anger, which has largely been directed towards Gambhir. Following India’s 0-2 series loss to South Africa, Gambhir was grilled with tough questions but remained resolute, asserting he would continue as head coach unless the BCCI chose to make a change.

Kohli, playing his first match in over a month, showed no signs of rustiness and got straight into his rhythm. This was his 70th Player of the Match award and his 83rd international century. Along the way, he broke records, going past Sachin Tendulkar’s 51 centuries in Tests to become the player with the most centuries in a single format. On top of that, Kohli and Rohit Sharma are now India’s longest-running pair, having played 392 matches together, one more than Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...