In a chat that was as candid as it was captivating, Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir and batting legend Virat Kohli took a trip down memory lane and discussed the future of Indian cricket. Known for their fiery on-field personas and past altercations, the duo showcased a different side, filled with banter and mutual respect. Virat begins the conversation by saying that both the players have come a long way and it’s time to finally “put an end to all the masala”.
Gambhir, who recently took over as India’s head coach, admitted the role wasn’t something he had anticipated. “I never thought about coaching Team India. Not even a couple of months back,” he confessed to Kohli. But the challenge of guiding the team through key tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2026 T20 World Cup, and 2027 ODI World Cup has pushed him to take the leap.
For all the drama between them in the IPL, both Kohli and Gambhir agreed that their skirmishes were part of the “spirit of the game”. When Kohli playfully asked if Gambhir’s on-field altercations ever threw him off, Gambhir shot back, “You’ve had more altercations than I have!” The pair burst into laughter. Kohli wrapped up the light-hearted moment with a joke: “I was just hoping for validation. I’m not saying this is wrong, but I was hoping someone would agree with me!”
The conversation between the two highlighted their evolving camaraderie and a shared vision for Indian cricket’s future. In a message for the younger generation of cricketers, Kohli said that they need to have the “drive” that young players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have. Gambhir added, “One thing common between these players is that they love doing what they do. For them it’s like meditation.”