Post by : Meena Ariff

As preparations ramp up for the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, the ongoing tension between Virat Kohli and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir continues to be a central topic. Speculation about a chilly atmosphere within the team has not deterred Kohli and Rohit Sharma from staying concentrated during their rigorous practice on Tuesday.

During the session, the duo batted against throw-down specialists, adhering to a thorough regimen that exhibited their strong focus, hinting that the external pressures haven’t interfered with their game strategies.

Gambhir maintained a vigilant watch over practice, lingering near the nets, which attracted added scrutiny—especially following news that national selector Pragyan Ojha was dispatched to Raipur to help mend any possible rifts within the squad. This decision arose from worries about communication barriers between the head coach and senior players.

After the training, Kohli departed with two bats on his shoulder, passing by Gambhir without a word. Rohit, however, took a moment to engage with the coach, showcasing a contrast in their interactions that continues to fuel discussions about the dynamics between the two senior players and Gambhir.

Recent clips and photos circulating online appear to confirm minimal interaction between Kohli and Gambhir. Although hopes were high for improvement with Kohli's inclusion in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, the training environment suggests that reconciliation may still be underway.

Despite the ongoing tension, both Kohli and Rohit demonstrated full dedication to their training. Discussions surrounding their future, including the anticipated 2027 ODI World Cup, seemed to have no influence on their performance. Kohli displayed superb timing during throwdown drills, even as Raghu and Nuwan Seneviratne aimed to challenge him. While a few deliveries evaded him, he overall commanded the session.

Other team members exhibited a similar vigor in their training. Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed with power-hitting, consistently launching balls over the leg-side boundary. Rishabh Pant rounded off the team's final practice session, preparing for the game ahead.

Going into the Raipur ODI with a 1–0 lead following a strong victory in Ranchi, India looks set for another high-scoring affair on the black-soil pitch at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium.

#Global News