Sharing his two cents on the matter, former India pacer Ashish Nehra, who has been Gambhir and Kohli’s teammate in both domestic and international cricket, feels that things are different when you are trying to achieve something in unison, unlike when you are playing for different teams and trying to defeat each other. “It’s not just Gambhir and Kohli, there are so many players who have had on-field spats in the past, but when they play together for a team, they have done well as a player, as coach-captain, as a coach and senior player,” Nehra told ‘Sports Tak’.
“Virat and Gambhir are two very passionate individuals. Whenever they play for a team, they can turn up against the opposition. But when they are together in a dressing room, they are together, united for the team. You’re talking about Kohli, who has an experience of over 16-17 years; Gambhir is also experienced. The things on the outside, people get an impression about it,” he added.
Gambhir and Kohli have been eye to eye on multiple occasions in the Indian Premier League (IPL), last time when Gambhir was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023.
The new Team India coach suggested that the focus should be on winning as a team, and that he and Kohli are “mature” enough to understand that.
“What kind of relationship I share with Virat Kohli? I think it is between two mature individuals. It may be good for TRP, but it’s not public,” Gambhir had said at the team’s pre-departure press conference. “On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own team, their own jersey, and want to come back in a winning dressing room.”
Talking about Gambhir’s approach towards his work, Nehra said his fellow Delhi-mate doesn’t hold back from speaking his mind.
“Gambhir is upfront, transparent, which is great. He keeps it clear and speaks his mind. That’s very important. Yes, I agree, everybody has their own style to operate — the coach, captain and player. I don’t see any problem with these two and where they are in their careers,” said Nehra.
Kohli will be part of India’s ODI squad on the tour of Sri Lanka. The three-match ODI series follows the three-match T20I series beginning July 27.