India’s recent ODI series win over South Africa showcased vintage Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who currently occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the ICC ODI rankings. Kohli was especially brilliant, amassing over 300 runs across the three matches, including two centuries, which earned him the Player of the Series award. Rohit also played a key role, scoring two fluent fifties in three innings and providing stability at the top.
Despite their exceptional performances, reports of a rift between head coach Gautam Gambhir and the star duo intensified when Gambhir did not mention or acknowledge their contributions during the post-series press conference. This omission raised eyebrows across the cricketing world.
Robin Uthappa Questions Gambhir’s Silence
Former India batter Robin Uthappa expressed disappointment over Gambhir’s lack of appreciation for the senior players. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said he found it “surprising” that the head coach did not credit either Rohit or Kohli for their standout efforts.
He praised the duo for stepping up under pressure and proving their value yet again:
“These are players who batted out of their skins and reminded everyone of their class. They shut down doubts and silenced critics with the kind of form they displayed. It felt strange not to hear any acknowledgment of that.”
Kohli & Rohit Focused on ODI Roles
Both Kohli and Rohit now feature exclusively in ODIs for India after retiring from Tests and T20Is. Their next assignment will be a high-profile ODI series against New Zealand in January, where fans will once again expect the iconic pair to lead from the front.
This recent controversy, however, has sparked discussions about the team environment and communication within the leadership group. Whether Gambhir addresses the comments publicly remains to be seen, but the performances of Rohit and Kohli continue to speak louder than any off-field noise.
