Are Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir in conflict mode? BCCI secretary gives direct clarification

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The relationship between India‘s head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting legend Virat Kohli has remained one of the most debated topics in world cricket, especially following recent shifts in the national team’s structure. As India navigates a transitional phase after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the spotlight has intensified on how these two titans of the ODI World Cup 2011 win coexist within the current setup.

While social media narratives often paint a picture of lingering tension, the internal reality of the dressing room continues to be a subject of intense public curiosity. On February 8, 2026, a BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia finally addressed whether the perceived friction is a genuine concern or merely a byproduct of their high-profile history.

During a recent appearance on the India Today podcast, BCCI Secretary Saikia provided a definitive update on the rapport between Kohli and Gambhir. Saikia dismissed the long-standing rumors of a rift, stating emphatically, “I have never seen them fighting. They are in a very good cordial relationship.”

When questioned about the infamous IPL 2023 clash that many believe laid the groundwork for a ‘cold war,’ Saikia downplayed the incident, noting that he focuses on their interactions while representing the country rather than franchise rivalries. He characterized the idea of a ‘bickering’ duo as more of a public ‘perception’ than a dressing room reality, reinforcing that both professionals are aligned toward a singular goal for Indian cricket.

“I haven’t seen it. IPL? Maybe I didn’t see that match because I was with them when they were representing the country. So, IPL: watching every match is not possible. That perception might be there, but Virat Kohli is always in the team. Gautam Gambhir is also there. We see the results. Have you seen Virat Kohli not being a part of the team?” Saikia added.

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The discussion also touched upon the sudden transition that saw both Kohli and Rohit retire from Test cricket in May 2025 to focus exclusively on the 50-over format. Saikia debunked the theory that Gambhir’s preference for ‘young blood’ forced these legends out of the red-ball setup. He added  that the board does not interfere in such career-defining choices.

Despite being moved to Grade B contracts due to their single-format status, both senior pros remain vital to India’s ODI World Cup 2027 roadmap. Saikia labeled reports of Gambhir wanting them out of the ODI squad as rubbish, pointing to their continued presence and performance in the team as the ultimate proof of their standing.

“Nobody can force a player of the stature of Virat Kohli to change and make a decision. He is at that level. He is not an ordinary player; he is a legend in Indian cricket. Nobody can force him to decide unless he chooses to. The board will not interfere in any player’s career. A lot of people write rubbish also. We cannot comment on rubbish. We don’t see any such things. These things were never brought up in any meetings,” Saikia concluded.

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