Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have had a few heated altercations over the years in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, in the recently concluded 17th edition, the two stalwarts greeted each other warmly and also shared a hug. It seemed that all the tension that had accumulated for so long, evaporated in a trice.
Gambhir returned to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), this time as a mentor, ahead of IPL 2024 and helped them end their 10-year wait for their third title. Meanwhile, Kohli finished as the leading run-getter in an IPL season for the second time and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) reach the playoffs after a horrendous start. After the reverse fixture between KKR and RCB at the Eden Gardens, which the hosts won by a solitary run, both players embraced each other warmly and fans loved the fact that the hatchet was buried between the two icons of Indian cricket.
In a recent interview, Gambhir said that both he and Kohli look to express themselves and win games for their respective teams. He didn’t want the country to know about his relationship with the former India captain.
“The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to public,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda.
Gambhir also heaped praise on Kohli as the KKR mentor saluted the six-hitting ability of the former RCB skipper.
Also Read: BCCI in talks with Gautam Gambhir for India head coach role
‘People are very disappointed with my behaviour’ – Virat Kohli on reconciliation with Gautam Gambhir
Meanwhile, in an earlier interview, Kohli said that some people didn’t get too pleased with his wholesome reconciliation with Gambhir.
“People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore,” Kohli mentioned in an event organised by Asian Paints.
Gambhir is in line to become India’s next head coach after the end of the T20 World Cup 2024. This could give fans the chance to witness Gambhir and Kohli in the same dressing room after several years.