Cold War In Dressing Room: Gambhir, Kohli, And Rohit Rift

India-West News Desk

MUMBAI – The chemistry within the Indian cricket team’s One Day International squad appears to be in turmoil, with reports suggesting an icy relationship between coach Gautam Gambhir and star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

This internal discord, which reportedly intensified following the veteran players’ unexpected Test retirements, has become a major concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the equation between the two stalwarts and the head coach has become “borderline cold,” creating an atmosphere of tension within the dressing room.

This alleged strain came to a head in the wake of Kohli and Rohit announcing their retirements from the Test format in quick succession, an event that seems to have created an unbridgeable distance between the senior players and the current team management. The limited conversations between Kohli and Gambhir has reportedly persisted into the ongoing ODIs against South Africa.

The situation is further complicated by the intense public backlash against Gambhir on social media from the fan bases of Kohli and Rohit says Dainik Jagran.

Pressure is mounting on the BCCI, which is concerned not only about the internal dynamics but also the fierce fan reaction and the disrespect shown to a sitting coach. The BCCI is reportedly seeking a resolution to prevent an impact on the team environment, as it tries to navigate the transition phase while managing the fan sentiments and high-profile players of the sport’s biggest stars.