Recently, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla ruled out gossip on a division between Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Regarding the rumors that surfaced after India’s 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shukla said that if there have been any past conflict, both Rohit and Gambhir have set their differences away in order to concentrate on a shared goal—leading India to Champions Trophy glory.
Rohit and Gambhir were observed laughing sometime before the team banquet before the first ODI series opener against Nagpur passed to England. Rohit seemed to be telling jokes in a viral video; Gambhir grinned and paid close attention, thereby indicating better friendship.
The way Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir having fun after the Dinner last night at team hotel.🥹🧿❤️🩹
Love to see them like that. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eWA9As6wMn
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 5, 2025
India will face England in the first one-day international of the series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday.
The BCCI also just approved the inclusion of star spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in India’s team for the three-match ODI set. Five times Varun devoured England in a five-game T20I series, he stole 14 wickets and a five-wicket haul in Rajkot. The Player of Series title was won by his superb bowling performance. He has currently become part of the ODI team in Nagpur, BCCI said.
Rohit Sharma discussed Varun’s inclusion during the pre-match press conference, underlining the need of having more bowling choices. “I understand that it is in T20 format but, he has clearly got something different about him. So we wanted to have an option and see what we could do with him. During the series, it presents us with an opportunity to play him at some stage and see what he is capable of,” Rohit was quoted by ICC as saying.
