Star batsman Virat Kohli has sent a clear message to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over his differences with Gautam Gambhir. Both Gambhir and Kohli have been involved in several on-field spats over the past few years.
Gambhir and Kohli are from Delhi and are known for showing their bravery. Both are aggressive and do not hesitate to hit back at their opponents when the need arises.
Following the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new India coach, there was speculation about how the two legends would relate to each other. Kohli will join the Indian team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which will be the first time that Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli will work together in this new relationship.
Also Read: Former KKR team manager comes out to defend Gautam Gambhir after India’s squad announcements against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli sends clear message to BCCI over differences with Gautam Gambhir
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Virat Kohli has assured the BCCI that his differences of opinion with Gautam Gambhir will not affect his relationship with the Indian team.
Kohli added that both of them are working towards a common goal, which is to take the Indian team forward and there is nothing that the Board needs to worry about.
In 2013, Gambhir and Kohli were involved in a war of words during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. They moved aggressively towards each other before being separated by another Delhi player, Rajat Bhatia.
In IPL 2023, the two faced each other again in a match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This time, Gambhir was the mentor for LSG and Virat Kohli played for RCB.
Following a heated argument between LSG fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir intervened after the match during the post-match handshakes. Gambhir was seen moving aggressively towards Kohli and both of them had a heated argument afterwards.
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli end their rivalry in IPL 2024
However, during an IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, Gambhir and Kohli were seen laughing and hugging each other, thus ending this decade-long rivalry between two Indian legends.
When asked about his relationship with Virat Kohli after IPL 2024, Gautam Gambhir lashed out at the media for trying to create controversy. He claimed that the country does not need to know about the relationship between him and Kohli.
“The perception is far from reality. My relationship with Virat Kohli is something this country does not need to know about. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relationship is not about giving masala to the public,” Gambhir had said then.
During the 2024 IPL season, Kohli was also asked about his differences with Naveen-ul-Haq and Gautam Gambhir. He claimed that the masala is over for the media as they have put an end to this rivalry.
“People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen and the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over, that’s why you are booing. We are not kids anymore,” Virat had said during an event.
