Indian captain Rohit Sharma has finally cleared the air about his alleged rift with head coach Gautam Gambhir after the chief selector announced the squad for the upcoming ODI series against England and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
There have been a lot of rumors about differences between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, especially after the controversial leaks from the Indian dressing room during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. Many reports claim that the captain and the coach were not on the same page during the high-drama Test series in Australia.
Rohit Sharma denies rift with coach Gautam Gambhir
However, the Indian captain's latest statement categorically denied any cold war with the head coach. Rohit Sharma insisted that there is a lot of respect and understanding between him and Gautam Gambhir and they trust each other.
Speaking to the media after announcing India's 2025 ODI and Champions Trophy squad, Rohit Sharma put to rest any speculation about tactical differences with Gautam Gambhir. The Indian captain emphasized a strong mutual understanding and emphasized the clarity of their roles.
Rohit Sharma told the media at the press conference on Saturday (January 18) in Mumbai: “We are both very clear about what we wanted to do. I'm not going to sit here and discuss what goes on behind the scenes, every tactical match. But it's very clear in my mind.”
Gautam Gambhir has confidence in what the captain is doing on the field: Rohit Sharma
The Indian captain also revealed that Gambhir gives his strategic insights in the dressing room, but once the team takes the field, he completely takes control in his hands. He emphasized that there is an element of respect between them and it helps them work as a team for Team India.
Rohit signed off, “Gautam Gambhir is nice…once we get on the field, he trusts what the captain is doing on the field. The basic discussions that take place are just off the field. In the ground, or maybe in the dressing room, once we get on the field, it's all about what I do on the field. That's the kind of trust we have in each other. That's how it should be. That's about it.”
Notably, Gautam was not accompanied by Ajit Agarkar and Rohit for the team announcements on Saturday. Indian selectors and team management have made bold but surprising calls for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
India set to play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The three-match ODI series between India and England will begin on February 6 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The second ODI will be held in Cuttack on February 9 and the second ODI is scheduled for February 12 in Ahmedabad. Before the ODI series, they will play 5 T20Is.
The Men in Blue will then begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, followed by the clash with Pakistan on February 23.