Although he and Virat Kohli have had their fair share of on-field drama, Gautam Gambhir, India's new head coach, has stated that their relationship is "between two mature individuals" and should not be made public. Gambhir's tour of Sri Lanka will commence later this month. In addition, he stated that they are "on the same page" regarding their mutual objective of seeing the men's national team succeed.

 

"Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public," Gambhir responded to a question regarding Kohli during his first news conference on Monday during his new position. "What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli? It is between two mature individuals.

 

However, as of right now, I believe you are speaking for 140 crore Indians, and I do not doubt that we will work together to make India proud.

"Off the pitch, my connection with you is excellent, and we will keep it that way. 

 

However, to clarify for the public what kind of relationship [we have], I believe it to be between two people." After an IPL match in 2013, during which Gambhir was captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Kohli and Gambhir fought. Later, during the IPL 2023, there was another incident with Gambhir as the mentor of the Lucknow SuperGiants. 

 

Gambhir shooed fans away from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after LSG defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by one run. Kohli repeated the same move in Lucknow's Ekana Stadium after RCB prevailed in the rematch. Ultimately, those close to Kohli and Gambhir had to tear them apart. betpro exchange sign up.

 

Nonetheless, the two got along well in public during IPL 2024. Gambhir once claimed that "perception was far from reality" in response to a question regarding his friendship with Kohli. "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," Kohli remarked in response to a question about it during the season. We are no longer children."

Gambhir stated that he and Kohli had recently spoken but wished to withhold specifics.

We should focus on our efforts and dedication, not trivial matters like a betpro exchange sign up." And that's what we do."He is a world-class player, athlete, and a meticulous professional. That's what I've always said. I will always have the utmost regard for him as a player. And maybe we can collaborate incredibly effectively."

Gambhir supports Rohit and Kohli for the ODI World Cup in 2027.

The next 50-over World Cup won't happen until 2027. Thus, Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who gave up T20I cricket after India won last month, have been selected for the ODI side to travel to Sri Lanka. However, both players are over 35. For what duration will they exist? The two players will have to decide, but Gambhir believes they "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 stated. "I can say with certainty that those two players still have a lot of cricket left in them. More significantly, given the Champions Trophy [in 2025] and a significant Australian tour [in November 2024], they would undoubtedly be sufficiently driven. 

 

Then, ideally, the 2027 [ODI] World Cup if they can maintain their condition."However, this is a highly private choice. How much cricket is left in them is beyond me. In the end, the decision ultimately rests with the players. To what extent can they help the team succeed? Since the team is what matters most in the end. However, considering what Virat and Rohit are capable of, I believe they still have a lot of cricket [left in them]. Any team would naturally want to keep both of them for as long as possible because they are still elite players."