Gambhir Emphasizes Personal Bond with Kohli Amid Coaching Debut

NEWS WAVE INDIA: India’s newly-appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has firmly stated that his relationship with star batsman Virat Kohli is a private matter, not a spectacle for television ratings. This announcement comes as Gambhir prepares to collaborate closely with Kohli for the upcoming T20 and ODI tour of Sri Lanka, which begins on July 27.

Gambhir and Kohli have had a tumultuous relationship, often clashing during their time in the IPL. However, with Gambhir now taking on the role of head coach, the two will need to set aside past differences to work together for the national team.

“My relationship with Virat Kohli is between the two of us and not for TRP,” Gambhir asserted.

In related news, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as the T20 captain over Hardik Pandya. Agarkar highlighted Yadav’s consistent availability, fitness, and positive feedback from the dressing room as key factors in his selection.

“Why Surya was made captain? Because he is one of the deserving candidates. The one we know has been around the dressing room over the last year. You get feedback from the dressing room a lot. He has got a good cricketing brain and he is still one of the best T20 batters in the world,” Agarkar stated during a joint press conference with Gambhir.

The Indian Men’s Cricket Team is set to depart for Sri Lanka shortly, where they will play a series of three T20 Internationals and three ODIs against the hosts, starting from July 27 and concluding on August 7.