(Image source from: hindi.news24online.com)
As Gautam Gambhir takes on the role of Indian cricket team's head coach, many wonder about its impact on Virat Kohli, a player with whom Gambhir has had numerous on-field clashes in the past. After Rahul Dravid's departure as the head coach, Gambhir emerged as the clear and favored alternative, considering his successful record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the last 2-3 years. With Virat Kohli also agreeing to be part of India's ODI squad against Sri Lanka, it will be the first time the two will work together on the same team. A report in Cricbuzz has confirmed that Kohli has assured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that their past differences won't affect their relationship within the Indian team. Both Gambhir and Kohli are known for their passionate and aggressive approach to the game, and with their shared goal of benefiting the Indian team, the board has little reason to be concerned about their dynamic.
As former captains and senior members of their respective teams, Kohli and Gambhir have had some heated on-field confrontations. However, when Gambhir joined Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor, the two seemed to have put aside their differences. Gambhir has remarked that the public's perception of their relationship is far from the reality. He asserted that they both have the right to express themselves and support their teams, and their bond is not meant to entertain the masses. Similarly, Kohli acknowledged that people were unhappy with his displays of affection towards Naveen-ul-Haq and Gambhir, but he dismissed the notion that they are still children. Initially, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not expected to be available for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Gambhir is leading the team for the first time, and the two players put themselves forward to be considered for the lineup.