'Very good for the TRPs but my relationship with him is not public': Gautam Gambhir's no-nonsense answer on his on-field spats with Virat Kohli

Arun Rawal

• Mon • 22 Jul 2024

Gautam Gambhir during the press conference; Gambhir and Virat Kohli in heated conversation (Screengrab: X)

Highlights:

Gautam Gambhir said that his on-field spats with Virat Kohli are only good for TRPs.

Gambhir revealed that he has had conversations with Kohli but doesn't want to reveal it to public.

Newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have had their fair share of heated exchanges on the field. Gambhir and Kohli made up after the ugly spat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The two shared a warm hug in IPL 2024 during the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The former Indian opener believes that his relationship with Kohli is personal and the run-ins between the two are only good for TRPs.

“Very good for the TRPs (his run-ins with Kohli in the IPL) but my relationship with him is not public. On the field, everyone will fight for their own team,” Gambhir said in the press conference when asked about the speculated ego clash between the two in the dressing room.

Gambhir revealed that he shares a good relationship with Kohli and has had conversations with him.

“At the moment, we are representing India. I share a very good relationship. I have had lots of chances to talk to him. It is not important what we discuss. The most important thing is we both have to work hard to make India proud. He is a thorough professional, a world-class player, and that is going to continue,” he added.

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🚨Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli : "They have a lot of cricket left in them. There's a big tour of Australia and Champions Trophy coming up, they will be motivated enough. And if they can keep their fitness even the 2027 World Cup." pic.twitter.com/XUo3sQ7pib
— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) July 22, 2024

RO-KO can play till 2027 ODI World Cup?

Gambhir feels that Kohli and ODI, Test captain Rohit Sharma can go on to play in 2027 World Cup if they keep themselves fit.

“They have shown what they can deliver on the big stage. Both have lot of cricket left in them. The Champions Trophy, if they keep their fitness then even the 2027 World Cup. Looking at what they can deliver, they are still world class and any team would want to have both of them,” the 42-year-old said.

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Bumrah deserves rest but batters workload not an issue

Gambhir made it clear that while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested, batters don't need much rest and should play all the matches and make the best of their forms.

“I've said it before, workload management for someone like Bumrah is important. If you are a batter who is in good form, might as well play all games. Workload management not just for Bumrah, for most fast bowlers it is very very important,” he further added.

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