Kohli–Gambhir Tension Lingers as India Preps for Raipur ODI

The tension between Virat Kohli and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir continues to hover over the Indian team as preparations for the second ODI against South Africa unfold in Raipur. Despite the ongoing chatter about a cold atmosphere inside the dressing room, Kohli and Rohit Sharma remained deeply focused during an intense practice session on Tuesday.

Both senior players batted together against throw-down specialists, going through a demanding routine under lights. Their rhythm and concentration suggested that the off-field drama has not affected their approach to the series.

Gambhir monitored the training closely, standing near the nets for extended periods. His presence drew extra attention, especially after reports that national selector Pragyan Ojha had been sent to Raipur to help ease tension within the camp. The move came after concerns arose about strained communication between the head coach and senior players.

At the end of his session, Kohli walked back carrying two bats on his shoulder and passed by Gambhir without acknowledging him. Rohit, who followed soon after, paused briefly to speak with the coach. The contrasting gestures only added to the ongoing debate about the relationship between the two senior cricketers and Gambhir.

In recent days, several short clips and photos circulating online have indicated that Kohli and Gambhir have not been interacting much. While there was anticipation of improvement after Kohli confirmed his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, the atmosphere at the nets suggested the situation may still need time to repair.

Amid the speculation, both Kohli and Rohit appeared fully committed to their roles. The conversations around their future, especially looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, seem to have no impact on their preparations. Kohli looked in excellent touch, timing the ball cleanly even as Raghu and Nuwan Seneviratne increased the pace during throwdowns. A few deliveries beat him for pace, but overall he dominated his session.

Other Indian players trained with similar intensity. Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased impressive power-hitting, frequently clearing the leg-side boundary. Rishabh Pant was the last batter to step into the nets, completing the team’s final workout before the match.

India goes into the Raipur ODI with a 1–0 lead after a solid win in Ranchi. The black-soil surface at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium is expected to produce another high-scoring contest, setting the stage for a competitive evening.