The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially addressed the swirling rumors regarding a supposed “rift” between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team’s senior stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia cleared the air, describing their relationship as strictly professional and friendly.
“I have never seen them fighting. They are in a very good cordial relationship,” Saikia stated, categorically denying reports that the dressing room atmosphere has turned “frosty” following India’s recent transition period.
Key Clarifications from the BCCI
The Secretary addressed several points of contention that have fueled fan speculation over the last few months:
- On the “Rift” Allegations: Saikia dismissed claims of a breakdown in communication, noting that the “perception” of a fight does not match the reality he sees when the team represents the country.
- On Kohli’s Test Retirement: Responding to theories that Kohli was “forced” out of the red-ball format by the new management, Saikia was firm: “Nobody can force a player of the stature of Virat Kohli to make a decision. He is a legend… the board will not interfere in a player’s career.”
- On the IPL 2023 Altercation: When reminded of the famous on-field spat between Gambhir and Kohli during their IPL days, Saikia humorously noted he hadn’t seen that specific match, emphasizing that past franchise rivalries do not dictate current national team dynamics.
The “Transition” Timeline
The rumors gained momentum during a turbulent period for the Indian side in late 2025 and early 2026.
| Event | Impact |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2024-25) | India’s 1-3 loss led to intense scrutiny of the senior players’ form. |
| Test Retirements | Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from the longest format in early 2026. |
| Domestic “Diktat” | BCCI mandated seniors to play domestic cricket; Kohli hit a massive 131 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. |
| T20 World Cup 2026 | The team is currently competing in the home World Cup under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav. |
Moving Forward
Despite the external noise, the BCCI has reaffirmed its long-term plan with Gautam Gambhir at the helm. Saikia emphasized that the focus remains on the 2026 T20 World Cup and the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, where both Kohli and Rohit remain integral parts of the white-ball setup.
The Secretary’s comments serve as a strategic “shutting of the door” on speculation, intended to stabilize the team’s public image as they chase a world title on home soil.