The relationship between Indiathe head coach of Gautam Gambhir and batting legend Virat Kohli remains one of the most debated topics in world cricket, especially after the recent changes in the structure of the national team. Since the transition phase has passed after India Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25spotlight on how these two titans became stronger ODI World Cup 2011 The win is co-existing within the current setup.
While social media narratives often paint a picture of ongoing tensions, the inner reality of the locker room continues to be a subject of public interest. On February 8, 2026, A BCCI the secretary Devajit Saikia Finally, whether the perceived friction was a genuine concern or a byproduct of their high-profile history was addressed.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia sets record on Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir equation
Recently, during an appearance on the India Today podcast, BCCI Secretary Saikia gave a definitive update on the relationship between Kohli and Gambhir. Saikia refuted rumors of a long-standing rift, stating categorically: “I’ve never seen them fight. They’re on very good terms.”
When questioned about the notoriety IPL 2023 A conflict that many believe was the foundation of the ‘cold war’, Saikia downplayed the incident, noting that the focus was on their interaction while representing the country rather than the franchise rivalry. He described the idea of a “fighting” duo as a public “perception” rather than a dressing-room reality, reinforcing that both professionals are aligned with a single goal for Indian cricket.
“I haven’t seen it. IPL? Maybe I didn’t see that match because I was with them when they represented the country. So IPL: impossible to watch every match. That perception may be there, but Virat Kohli is always in the team. Gautam Gambhir is also there. We see the results. Have you noticed that Virat Kohli is not part of the team??” Saikia added.
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Will Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in ODI World Cup 2027? BCCI secretary answers
The discussion touched on the sudden switch that saw both Kohli and Rohit retire from Test cricket in May 2025 to focus solely on the 50-over format. Saikia refuted the theory that Gambhir’s preference for “young blood” forced these legends out of the red-ball set-up. He added that the board does not interfere in such career-defining choices.
Despite being relegated to B-grade contracts due to their single-format status, both the top-order specialists are vital for India. ODI World Cup 2027 road map. Saikia labeled reports of Gambhir wanting to drop them from the ODI squad as rubbish, citing their continued presence in the team and their performances as the main proof of their position.
“No one can force a player of Virat Kohli’s stature to change and make decisions. He is at that level. He is no ordinary player; he is a legend in Indian cricket. No one can force him to make a decision unless he wants to. The board will not interfere in the career of any football player. Many people also write garbage. We cannot comment on litter. We do not see such things. These were not brought up in any meeting.” Saikia concluded.
