India coach Gambhir opens up on relationship with Virat Kohli; provides update on Mohammed Shami’s return

Newly-appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir shared his thoughts on his relationship with veteran batter Virat Kohli, saying the bond he shares with Kohli is not for everyone to know and definitely not for TRP. Gambhir, who has a history with Kohli, including their latest verbal brawl during last year’s IPL, added Kohli and he represent140 crore Indians, and at the end of the day, that matters.

"What kind of a relationship I have with Virat Kohli is not for TRP. At the moment, we are representing India, we are representing 140 crore Indians. I have an excellent relationship with him off the field,” Gambhir said when asked about his connection with his former teammate.

Meanwhile, Virat and Gautam have played together for Delhi in domestic cricket and later for India across formats for several years. Two aggressive yet stylish cricketers have had some bitter memories to look back also, beginning with an on-field brawl during an IPL season over a decade ago.

Following Kohli’s wicket during that game (where Kohli was playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gambhir was leading Kolkata Knight Riders), both aggressively approached each other, only for others to interrupt and separate them.

“But, it's not for the public. It's not important how many chats I've had with him during or after the game. He is a thorough professional and a world-class athlete, and hopefully, he will continue that way,” Gambhir continued.

Gambhir on Shami’s return

Ace India seamer Mohammed Shami got ruled out of on-field with an ankle injury following the home World Cup last year and has been on the sidelinessince.

Upon undergoing surgery in London earlier this year, Shami returned home and, per Gambhir, has also started bowling. Though he will miss the white-ball leg against Sri Lanka, consisting of three T20Is and as many ODIs starting July 27, Shami might return during the home season that begins with Bangladesh Tests on September 19.

“He (Shami) has started to bowl. The first Test is on 19th September. That was always the goal (him making a comeback by that time). Whether he can make it back to the squad by that time, I'll have to speak with the guys at the NCA,” Gambhir said.

Is the three-different-team theory a myth?

Gambhir answered the most talked-about question since his appointment as Team India's head coach, ‘Will India have three different teams for each format going forward?’

Although Gautam didn’t deny that this could happen in future, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the idea is to have the right players playing the right formats.

“See, eventually these things happen. Transitions happen. We don't have Rohit and Virat in T20Is now. But it won't be like we have three different teams,” Gambhir said during his first presser as India head coach.

Meanwhile, Agarkar noted, “Yeah, we don't plan on that. We just need to find the right combination of players, who can suit across different formats.”

(With inputs from agencies)