India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has rubbished reports of a rift between them Virat Kohli is a great teacher Gautam Gambhirsaying that the two communicate regularly and that there is no problem in their work.Rumors of Kohli and Gambhir’s equation grew on social media after footage from India’s training camp during the ODI series against England showed the two not getting along. The sentiment has continued ever since Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last year.Ahead of the first ODI at Edgbaston, Kohli was seen hitting the nets while Gambhir looked on without talking to him. Kotak, meanwhile, was seen chatting with the former Indian captain, adding to the online debate.However, Kotak expressed that there was nothing unusual about the situation and laughed off the idea that someone should act as a bridge between the two.“No (laughter), Virat and Gautam would have spoken about 10 times today. I don’t think this needs any bridge,” said Kotak.He also explained what he and Kohli discussed during the practice session before the opening ODI.“Actually before going to bat, he said a few things to me. To be honest, as a batting coach, unless he hears something or sees something big, his batting should not be interrupted and he should not be told much. But he asked me some things before about his work on the floor and behind the net, he said. [to me].“Besides, I don’t know where the rumors are coming from, but they do,” Kotak said.Kotak also contributed Rohit Sharmawho has been struggling for runs in the ongoing ODI series against England.Rohit’s struggles continued in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday, as England won by four wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. The opener managed just 10 runs from 18 balls in the Powerplay even as India reached 61/1, before being dismissed for 26 off 47 balls as he attempted a sweep off Will Jacks.Rohit has not enjoyed a good run in ODIs this year. In eight games, he averaged just one innings and averaged 30.12. With speculation that the selectors might move away from the former India captain ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kotak was asked if Rohit’s place could be considered after Sunday’s series selection at Lord’s.The batting coach said there is no pressure on the veteran opener.“I don’t think a big player like Rohit will feel pressure,” Kotak said after the Cardiff match.“He’s too good a player to feel that way. Yes, he hasn’t scored in two games. I don’t think there’s any difference. But today it seems like he got a good innings but that’s fine. [that he didn’t get a big score].”
