TOP STORIES

"I don't think they need a bridge": Sitanshu Kotak denies rumours of Kohli-Gambhir rift

Friday, 17-Jul-2026, 10:06 AM
News

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has played down rumours of friction between head coach Gautam Gambhir and batter Virat Kohli, asserting that both maintain a healthy working relationship. Lately, there have been rumours of cracks in the relationship between Gambhir and Kohli, with the duo not being seen engaging in discussions with each other during practice sessions or in the dressing room. The rumours gained more traction after they both didn't communicate with each other during the training sessions on the eve of the first ODI against England in Edgbaston. However, Kotak played down the tensions of a dispute between Gambhir and Kohli.

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

"And Virat, basically, before going into batting, he talked about certain things. Because, Virat, honestly speaking, as a batting coach, till the time he doesn't feel anything, or if he doesn't see anything, his batting shouldn't be disturbed. And we shouldn't say much, the way he bats.

“But, mainly, how is his footwork going? Certain things, he asked me before. And then, after the nets, he was talking. Besides that, what you are saying, I don't know, where do the rumours come from, but they do come,” he added.

Talking about the match, England inflicted a four-wicket defeat on India to bounce back and level the series 1-1. Joe Root's masterclass performance helped the side chase down a target of 234 in 44.1 overs. India, on the other hand, were dragged to a modest total following courageous knocks from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom bludgeoned 65 and 66 respectively. The third and final ODI will be played on Sunday at Lord's.



Tags

More News

News

AFG vs IND, 2nd T20I: Samson shines as India claim series-sealing win

1 hr ago

Sanju Samson played a starring role with the bat, helping India overcome Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I on Tuesday at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The victory hands India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 160, India went over the line in 14.5 overs, with the top order giving the side a robust start...


News

Deepti Sharma soars to No.2 in T20I bowling rankings

6 hrs ago

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has made massive gains in the ICC women's T20I rankings for bowlers' rankings, hopping four spots to settle on second spot. Indian batter Shafali Verma jumped one spot to be in sixth place in the T20I batters’ rankings. Notably, Deepti Sharma played a useful role in India’s title win at the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup 20...


News

Steve Smith skeptical about his participation at Ashes 2027

10 hrs ago

Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith has expressed uncertainty over his participation in the next year’s Ashes as he looks to shift his entire focus to the shortest format of the game. Having appeared in 125 Test matches, Smith is one of Australia's highly successful batters, remaining the fourth-highest run-scorer for the side in the longest format. Howe...


News

“Same old story”: Ex-Indian cricketer on Women's Asia Cup trophy row

11 hrs ago

India’s spectacular title victory at the Women’s Asia Cup was completely overshadowed by the post-match presentation conundrum after the Indian team chose not to accept the championship trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Indian women registered a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka in the final to win a record eighth Asia Cup title.&n...


News

ENG vs SL, 1st T20I: Despondent Sri Lanka look to make gains as they take on rampant England

12 hrs ago

Shifting their attention to the shortest format, England are slated to meet Sri Lanka in the opening T20I of the three-match series at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday. England are riding a wave of confidence heading into the first game following their skilful performance against India, where they clinched a 4-0 series victory in a five-match series on h...