India’s ODI team may have secured a morale-boosting 17-run win against South Africa to take a 1–0 lead in the series, but off-field concerns continue to cast a shadow over the dressing-room environment. According to a report by Dainik Jagran, tensions have reportedly risen between head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, creating unease within the ODI setup.
The victory against South Africa, combined with the recent upturn in ODI performances, has helped India recover from a difficult period that included a 1–2 series loss in Australia and a 0–2 defeat to South Africa in the previous bilateral competition. Despite the decreasing frequency of ODI matches, the return of Rohit and Kohli has significantly revived interest in the format. Their recent scores—Rohit’s 73, 121*, and 57, along with Kohli’s unbeaten 74 and 135—have reignited enthusiasm among supporters and boosted confidence within the squad.
However, the report suggests that the atmosphere behind the scenes remains less harmonious. It claims that Gambhir’s working relationship with the two senior players has cooled, impacting the overall mood in the ODI camp. A BCCI source quoted in the report stated that discussions regarding the future of Kohli and Rohit in ODIs may take place during the Raipur or Visakhapatnam legs of the series.
The tension is reportedly not new. During the Australia ODIs earlier this year, Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were said to be on uneasy terms. Similarly, Kohli and Gambhir have engaged in limited communication during the ongoing South Africa series. The report further notes that the BCCI is concerned about the excessive criticism directed at Gambhir on social media by sections of Kohli and Rohit fans.
The relationship between Kohli and Gambhir has been complex over the years. While the two shared a strong cricketing connection during their early days with India and Delhi, their high-profile IPL disagreements in 2013 and 2023 drew nationwide attention. Although both appeared to repair their rapport after Gambhir took over as head coach—evident in several positive interactions shared by the BCCI—the frequency of such moments has reduced in recent months. This shift became more noticeable following Rohit and Kohli’s Test retirements, announced just a week apart.
As India continues its ODI campaign, the focus remains on ensuring that on-field performance is not affected by off-field dynamics. The BCCI is reportedly keeping a close watch on the situation to maintain team cohesion ahead of upcoming international commitments.
