In the lead-up to the first ODI between India and England held earlier this week, speculations were rife that all’s not well between former captain Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir. As per reports, Gambhir spent time with several members of the team and support staff, but he didn’t interact with Kohli.
The two appeared to be distant during the training sessions, leading to claims of the two not being on speaking terms. It’s even been suggested to the BCCI that the board appoint a mediator to bridge the gap in communication between the two former teammates.
However, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has denied there’s any rift between them and laughed off the “rumour”.
“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 head coach,” Kotak said. “You asked about communication, I don’t know from where you hear these things, but these are rumours.”
Kotak said unless Kohli seeks them out, there’s no need to provide any inputs to Kohli – widely considered among the greatest batters to have played the game.
“When Virat goes out to bat, what I have felt as a batting coach is that if he doesn’t ask for inputs or there is something major that warrants attention, there is no point in disturbing him. You shouldn’t give him unsolicited advice,” he said.
This doesn’t mean that Kotak shies away from sharing anything.
“The discussion is mostly around his footwork, certain things he told me before the session started (pre-match nets in Cardiff) and after nets, he was talking,” Kotak said, recalling his chat with Kohli during the training session at Sophia Gardens on the eve of the second ODI against England.
