The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Devajit Saikia, dismissed rumors of a conflict between Virat Kohli and Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. He stated that they have a “cordial relationship.” Saikia spoke during a recent India Today Podcast, where he addressed questions about their dynamics.
Historically, Kohli and Gambhir have had a complicated relationship, often seen in tensions both on the field and during Gambhir’s time as a mentor. The latest incident occurred in 2023 when Kohli had a verbal altercation with Afghan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq during a match representing the Lucknow Super Giants. Gambhir also became involved, with Kohli seen trying to calm the situation.
When asked about their relationship, Saikia mentioned he had never witnessed any fighting between them and couldn’t recall the 2023 incident. He stated,
“I have never seen them fighting. They are in a very good cordial relationship.”
He added,
“I haven’t seen it. IPL? Maybe I didn’t see that match because I was with them when they were representing the country… Watching every match is not possible.”
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Is there a power struggle between Gambhir and Kohli? Saikia responds
There are ongoing speculations about a rivalry between Kohli and Gambhir, with some suggesting that they want each other out of the team. This notion gained traction when both Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped down from Test cricket.
However, Saikia views this as simply a “perception.” He believes both players can coexist, stating,
“That perception might be there, but Virat Kohli is always in the team. Gautam Gambhir is also there. We see the results. Have you seen Virat Kohli not being a part of the team?”
Saikia emphasized that the board does not impose decisions on star players like Kohli. He explained that player choices are personal and the board does not interfere with their careers, saying,
“Nobody can force a player of the stature of Virat Kohli to change and make a decision. He is at that level. He is not an ordinary player; he is a legend in Indian cricket. Nobody can force him to make a decision unless he chooses to. The board will not interfere in any player’s career.”
Currently, Kohli is only participating in the ODI format, with goals to remain active until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
