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Rumours of trouble between Gambhir and the veteran pair of Rohit and Kohli have been brewing since the pair's retirement from Test cricket halfway through last year (PTI Photo)
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has responded to the criticism he has received in recent months and also addressed his rumoured rift with veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in reply to a post by Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor. Tharoor had said that the Gambhir had the “hardest job in India after the PM’s” as he is “second-guessed by millions daily”.
Tharoor also posted a picture with Gambhir, saying that he met the former India opener in Nagpur, where the team had played their first T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday. India won the match by 48 runs and have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. “In Nagpur, enjoyed a good &frank discussion with my old friend
@GautamGambhir, the man with the hardest job in India after the PM’s! He is being second-guessed by millions daily but stays calm &walks on undaunted. A word of appreciation for his quiet determination and able leadership. Wishing him all success — starting today! #INDvNZT20,” said Tharoor in his post on X.
“Thanks a lot Dr @ShashiTharoor! When the dust settles, truth & logic about a coach’s supposedly “unlimited authority” will become clear. Till then I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best!” said Gambhir in a repost of Tharoor’s post.
Thanks a lot Dr @ShashiTharoor! When the dust settles, truth & logic about a coach’s supposedly “unlimited authority” will become clear. Till then I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best! https://t.co/SDNzLt73v5
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 21, 2026
Kotak dismisses rumours of rift
Rumours of trouble between Gambhir and the veteran pair of Rohit and Kohli have been brewing since the pair’s retirement from Test cricket halfway through last year, just days before India embarked on a five-match tour of England. The fact that Gambhir and Kohli have been at the centre of two high profile clashes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in years gone by has also played a role.
There has been speculation of Gambhir not speaking with Rohit or Virat during India’s training session ahead of ODI matches.
However, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed these rumours, stressing that they are communicating with them on a regular basis. “They discuss with Gautam (Gambhir) about ODI formats, about the matches we have, and our plans going (ahead) to South Africa (World Cup in 2027),” he said.
“Most of the time I’m there and if I’m listening. They definitely share the experience and I always see them talking. Obviously, in social media, you see a lot of things which I try to avoid seeing,” he quipped.
Kotak said that they have both discussed their future with Gambhir. “See, both of them are so senior and so experienced. They definitely make plans. They want to practice at all the venues. If they feel they need to, they’ll go a couple of days in advance. They practice because they both also have been such outstanding players for India. Planning-wise and all, they are brilliant. They know what they need to do. They know what their body needs, not only batting, even fitness, whatever requirements they have,” said Kotak.
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