India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s equation with star batter Virat Kohli remains a mystery for the cricket fans and experts alike.
During the IPL 2013 season, the then KKR skipper was involved in a heated face-off with the RCB legend before they were separated by other players.
A similar incident was also witnessed in last year’s IPL as the then LSG mentor Gambhir had an ugly spat with Kohli. That altercation had created quite a stir in the cricket fraternity and it continues to draw attention even today.
However, the cricket fans saw an unexpected on-field reunion between Gambhir and Kohli in the IPL 2024 season. They shared smiles and hugs during the two KKR versus RCB games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and the Eden Gardens.
Recently, veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla revealed that Gambhir takes Kohli and his cricket very seriously, citing an example from the 2023 World Cup.
During the showpiece tournament, Kohli amassed over 700 runs and also surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds.
"I and Gauti bhai were doing a show. A question was asked 'When Virat completed his 50th century, which bowler did he take the single off? I couldn't answer it, but Gambhir did it. And he's like 'Now don't say there's any tiff. Gauti bhai is all class. He is one of the best," Chawla said on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube channel.
Chawla knowns Gambhir for years, having played alongside him at India A, Team India and KKR. His admiration of the India head coach is a testament as to how looks can be deceiving.
"You know what the best thing about Gauti bhai is? He will motivate you, give you free hand and the way he backs you. If he sees that talent in you, he will back you even if you don't do anything in all 14 games. If you can do it, he will back you which is a brilliant thing for any player," Chawla stated.
"I played under him for 4-5 years – in fact we played India and India A together – the way he appears on the ground, aggressive and all, off it he is equally polite. And the amount of fun I have interacting with him it just amazing. Gauti bhai, one of the best humans I have come across," he further remarked.
