The third and final ODI will be played at Lord's on July 19.
Indian team batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has rejected the notion that something is amiss between head coach Virat Kohli and veteran batter Virat Kohli. This comes after the duo was not spotted interacting with one another during practice sessions or in the dressing room on the ongoing England tour.
After it was revealed that the two didn't communicate during the training sessions on the eve of the ODI series opening against England in Edgbaston, the rumors gained further traction.
Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, was also seen speaking with Kohli prior to the first ODI against England. Gambhir was spotted watching closely during the former India captain's net session, but he didn't speak to the batter. Instead, Kotak went over to Kohli to strike up a conversation.
Kotak denied rumors on Thursday, saying Kohli and Gambhir are only communicating. He stated that he doesn't know where the rumors originate.
“Virat and Gautam, they must have talked 10 times today. I don't think they need a bridge,” Kotak told reporters in the post-match press conference after the second ODI.
When asked about his conversation with Kohli, Kotak said, "And Virat, basically, before going into batting, talked about certain things. Because, Virat, I honestly say, as a batting coach, until the time he doesn't feel anything or if he doesn't see anything, his batting shouldn't be disturbed. And we shouldn't say much about the way he bats.
But, mainly, how is his footwork going? Certain things he asked me before. And then, after the nets, he was talking. Apart from what you are saying, I don't know. Where do the rumors come from? But they do come.”
England leveled the three-ODI series after winning the second match in Cardiff by 4 wickets. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s fifties led India to 233 runs after being asked to bat first. In response, Joe Root (99*) helped England chase down the total with ease.
The final ODI of the series will be played at Lord’s on July 19.
(ANI inputs)