NEW DELHI: The relationship between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli has been a mix of professional respect and some well-publicized differences over the years.
Gambhir and Kohli played together for India and both are from Delhi, where Kohli looked up to senior players like Gambhir during his early career.
During Kohli’s early days in international cricket, Gambhir played an important role in guiding him, especially when they batted together.
Now with Gambhir as Team India head coach and Kohli as the batting mainstay of Team India, both are working together.
During the IPL, there have been moments of friction between the two. The most notable incident occurred in the 2013 IPL, during a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Gambhir, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), captained by Kohli.
After Kohli got out, a heated exchange took place between the two. Both captains confronted each other aggressively on the field, and the umpires and players had to intervene to calm things down.
In 2023, Kohli and Gambhir were fined 100% of their match fees following a post-match altercation after the conclusion of the RCB-LSG game.
Gambhir, the LSG mentor, and RCB batting mainstay Kohli were fined for breaching Article 2. 21 of the IPL code of conduct, which relates to public acts of misconduct, unruly behaviour and inappropriate comments that are detrimental to the interests of the game.
But there was a time when the mutual respect and camaraderie they had was on display on the field.
The best example of that mutual respect and camaraderie is the 224-run stand they had against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on December 24, 2009.
Chasing a 316-run target both Gambhir and Kohli hit hundreds as India won the match with more than an over to spare with 7 wickets in hand.
Gambhir remained unbeaten on 150 and Kohli fell for 107 after notching up his maiden ODI hundred.
Despite being named Man of the Match, Gambhir decided to share the award with Kohli, acknowledging the importance of Kohli’s first century in India’s successful chase.
He praised Kohli for his calmness and maturity during the run chase and handed over his award to Kohli in a display of great sportsmanship and team spirit.
Gambhir said in praise of Kohli, “The way Virat batted took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and we told ourselves to see what was happening after 35 overs, but then we didn’t need to take the Powerplay.”
This moment is remembered as one of the classiest gestures in cricket, highlighting Gambhir’s leadership and his recognition of a young Kohli’s contribution to the team’s victory.
The relationship between Gambhir and Kohli has evolved from one of mutual respect in the early years to moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective, particularly around leadership and captaincy. However, both players have always recognized each other’s contributions, and despite the occasional friction, there remains a level of professionalism in their interactions.
Gambhir and Kohli played together for India and both are from Delhi, where Kohli looked up to senior players like Gambhir during his early career.
During Kohli’s early days in international cricket, Gambhir played an important role in guiding him, especially when they batted together.
Now with Gambhir as Team India head coach and Kohli as the batting mainstay of Team India, both are working together.
During the IPL, there have been moments of friction between the two. The most notable incident occurred in the 2013 IPL, during a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Gambhir, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), captained by Kohli.
After Kohli got out, a heated exchange took place between the two. Both captains confronted each other aggressively on the field, and the umpires and players had to intervene to calm things down.
In 2023, Kohli and Gambhir were fined 100% of their match fees following a post-match altercation after the conclusion of the RCB-LSG game.
Gambhir, the LSG mentor, and RCB batting mainstay Kohli were fined for breaching Article 2. 21 of the IPL code of conduct, which relates to public acts of misconduct, unruly behaviour and inappropriate comments that are detrimental to the interests of the game.
But there was a time when the mutual respect and camaraderie they had was on display on the field.
The best example of that mutual respect and camaraderie is the 224-run stand they had against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on December 24, 2009.
Chasing a 316-run target both Gambhir and Kohli hit hundreds as India won the match with more than an over to spare with 7 wickets in hand.
Gambhir remained unbeaten on 150 and Kohli fell for 107 after notching up his maiden ODI hundred.
Despite being named Man of the Match, Gambhir decided to share the award with Kohli, acknowledging the importance of Kohli’s first century in India’s successful chase.
He praised Kohli for his calmness and maturity during the run chase and handed over his award to Kohli in a display of great sportsmanship and team spirit.
Gambhir said in praise of Kohli, “The way Virat batted took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and we told ourselves to see what was happening after 35 overs, but then we didn’t need to take the Powerplay.”
This moment is remembered as one of the classiest gestures in cricket, highlighting Gambhir’s leadership and his recognition of a young Kohli’s contribution to the team’s victory.
The relationship between Gambhir and Kohli has evolved from one of mutual respect in the early years to moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective, particularly around leadership and captaincy. However, both players have always recognized each other’s contributions, and despite the occasional friction, there remains a level of professionalism in their interactions.
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