Ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh, star India batter Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir sat down for a heartwarming conversation, putting an end to the much-talked-about ‘masala’ surrounding their relationship.
The interview shared by BCCI on its official social media handle, started with Gambhir recalling key moments in Kohli's career, particularly his record-breaking exploits during the Test tour of Australia in 2014-15.
"I remember when you had that bumper series in Australia where you scored heaps and heaps of runs, and that got you in that zone," Gambhir said.
The chief coach then drew parallels with his own experience, reminiscing his match-saving Test century during the Napier Test against New Zealand in 2009.
"For me, it was exactly the same when I played in Napier... I have never been in that zone ever in my life after that. So I can imagine how good that feeling is to be in that zone," he added.
In response, Kohli emphasized how external factors such as interactions with the opposition can affect a player's mindset. He asked Gambhir to share his experience in this regard.
"When you're batting and you have a bit of a chat with the opposition, did you ever feel like this might carry on to you going out of the zone and potentially getting out, or did it put you in a more motivated space?" Kohli inquired.
Gambhir retorted with a lighthearted jibe as he pointed out Kohli's more frequent on-field altercations. "You had more altercations than I have. You can answer that question better than I can."
This banter brought a smile on Kohli’s face as he provided his perspective, saying, "I am looking for someone who agrees with my opinion. I am not saying that it's wrong. I am looking for someone to say, 'Yes, this is the right way.'"
He added, "We've come a long way, and we're putting an end to all the masala and all the spice," signaling the end of years of speculation and media-driven narratives about their so-called rivalry."
This engaging chat highlighted the ease between the two, who have often been portrayed as fierce rivals by the media, especially after their ugly spat during the IPL 2023 season.
