'Virat and Gautam must've talked 10 times today': India batting coach dismisses rumours of rift between head coach and veteran batter

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has responded to rumours of rift between Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Before the start of the series, a report surfaced where it was claimed that Gambhir and Kohli did not have a conversation during the practice session. Instead, Kotak and skipper Shubman Gill had a long conversation with the veteran batter. After the defeat in the second ODI, Kotak dismissed the rumours saying that the former teammates must have talked several times on the day of the game in Cardiff itself.

“Virat and Gautam, they must have talked 10 times today. I don't think they need a bridge," Kotak said in the post-match press conference.

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Kotak went on to reveal that Kohli talked about a few things with him before going out to bat. He feels that there is not much conversation to be had considering the way he bats in the format.

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"Basically before he went out to bat, he spoke a few things to me. Honestly as a batting coach, unless he feels something or spots something major, his batting shouldn't be disturbed and he shouldn't be told much. But he asked me certain things before regarding his footwork and after the nets, he was talking [to me].

"Apart from that, I don't know where the rumours come from, but they do," Kotak added.

Batting collapse haunts India

After a single-digit score in the series opener at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Kohli scored a half-century at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Kohli walked in to bat in the eighth over after skipper Shubman Gill lost his wicket to Gus Atkinson. Kohli scored at a good pace while opener Rohit Sharma struggled to rotate strike or find boundaries. After Rohit, Ishan Kishan lost his wicket early too. Kohli and Iyer shared a crucial 67-run partnership before India suffered a batting collapse. The 37-year-old scored 65 runs from 66 balls, including eight fours.

From 178/3, India were bowled out for 233. After Kohli departed, only 55 runs were scored from 12.2 overs. All-rounders Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube failed to get going. Iyer gave into the pressure as well and departed for a 71-ball 66, laced with five fours and a couple of sixes.

Root forces the decider at Lord’s 

England ended up chasing the target of 234 with four wickets in hand and 5.5 overs to spare. Root was adjudged 'Player of the match' for his unbeaten 99. He faced 133 balls as the required run rate was not an issue in the run chase. He hit nine fours, taking England over the line comfortably to set up the final of the series on July 19 at the iconic Lord's, London.