Ahead of the much-anticipated Bangladesh series , Indian cricket star Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir sat down for a revealing conversation, dispelling the long-standing rumors of tension between them. The interview, shared on BCCI 's social media platforms, opened with Gambhir reflecting on significant moments in Kohli's career, particularly his extraordinary performances in Australia.
"I remember when you had that bumper series in Australia where you scored heaps and heaps of runs, and that got you in that zone," Gambhir remarked, referencing Kohli's prolific run that cemented his place among cricket’s elite. Drawing from his own experience, Gambhir recalled his Test innings in Napier, saying, "For me, it was exactly the same when I played in Napier... I have never been in that zone ever in my life after that. So I can imagine how good that feeling is to be in that zone."
Kohli then turned the conversation towards the psychological aspects of the game, particularly how interactions with opposing players can influence a player's mindset. He asked Gambhir if such exchanges ever disrupted his focus or gave him an additional boost of motivation. "When you're batting and you have a bit of a chat with the opposition, did you ever feel like this might carry on to you going out of the zone and potentially getting out, or did it put you in a more motivated space?" Kohli queried.
In a playful retort, Gambhir, acknowledging Kohli's more frequent on-field confrontations , joked, "You had more altercations than I have. You can answer that question better than I can." This exchange highlighted the camaraderie between the two, despite past media narratives suggesting animosity, particularly after their well-publicized clash during an IPL match in 2013.
Kohli responded in good humor, sharing his perspective, "I am looking for someone who agrees with my opinion. I am not saying that it's wrong. I am looking for someone to say, 'Yes, this is the right way.'" He concluded on a more serious note, addressing the speculation surrounding their relationship: "We've come a long way, and we're putting an end to all the masala and all the spice," officially closing the chapter on the media-fueled rivalry.
"I remember when you had that bumper series in Australia where you scored heaps and heaps of runs, and that got you in that zone," Gambhir remarked, referencing Kohli's prolific run that cemented his place among cricket’s elite. Drawing from his own experience, Gambhir recalled his Test innings in Napier, saying, "For me, it was exactly the same when I played in Napier... I have never been in that zone ever in my life after that. So I can imagine how good that feeling is to be in that zone."
A Very Special Interview 🙌
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 18, 2024
Stay tuned for a deep insight on how great cricketing minds operate. #TeamIndia’s Head Coach @GautamGambhir and @imVkohli come together in a never-seen-before freewheeling chat.
You do not want to miss this! Shortly on https://t.co/Z3MPyeKtDz pic.twitter.com/dQ21iOPoLy
Kohli then turned the conversation towards the psychological aspects of the game, particularly how interactions with opposing players can influence a player's mindset. He asked Gambhir if such exchanges ever disrupted his focus or gave him an additional boost of motivation. "When you're batting and you have a bit of a chat with the opposition, did you ever feel like this might carry on to you going out of the zone and potentially getting out, or did it put you in a more motivated space?" Kohli queried.
In a playful retort, Gambhir, acknowledging Kohli's more frequent on-field confrontations , joked, "You had more altercations than I have. You can answer that question better than I can." This exchange highlighted the camaraderie between the two, despite past media narratives suggesting animosity, particularly after their well-publicized clash during an IPL match in 2013.
Kohli responded in good humor, sharing his perspective, "I am looking for someone who agrees with my opinion. I am not saying that it's wrong. I am looking for someone to say, 'Yes, this is the right way.'" He concluded on a more serious note, addressing the speculation surrounding their relationship: "We've come a long way, and we're putting an end to all the masala and all the spice," officially closing the chapter on the media-fueled rivalry.
