India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has dismissed speculation of a rift between Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying the two are in regular communication and that there is no issue in their working relationship.Rumours about Kohli and Gambhir’s equation gained momentum on social media after visuals from India’s training sessions during the ODI series against England showed the two not interacting. The speculation has continued ever since Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last year.Ahead of the first ODI at Edgbaston, Kohli was seen batting in the nets while Gambhir watched from close range without speaking to him. Kotak, meanwhile, was spotted having a conversation with the former India captain, adding to the online discussion.However, Kotak made it clear there was nothing unusual about the situation and laughed off suggestions that someone needed to act as a bridge between the two.“No (laughs), Virat and Gautam would’ve spoken about 10 times today. I don’t think that needs any bridge,” Kotak said.He also explained what he and Kohli had discussed during the practice session before the opening ODI.“Basically before he went out to bat, he spoke a few things to me. Honestly as a batting coach, unless he feels something or spots something major, his batting shouldn’t be disturbed and he shouldn’t be told much. But he asked me certain things before regarding his footwork and after the nets, he was talking [to me].“Apart from that, I don’t know where the rumours come from, but they do,” Kotak said.Kotak also backed Rohit Sharma, who has struggled for runs in the ongoing ODI series against England.Rohit’s difficulties continued in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday, where England won by four wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. The opener managed just 10 runs off 18 balls in the Powerplay despite India reaching 61/1, before being dismissed for 26 off 47 balls while attempting a sweep against Will Jacks.Rohit has not enjoyed the best run in ODIs this year. In eight matches, he has scored only one half-century and averages 30.12. With speculation over whether the selectors could move on from the former India captain ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kotak was asked if Rohit’s place would come under scrutiny after Sunday’s series decider at Lord’s.The batting coach said there was no pressure on the veteran opener.“I don’t think a player as big as Rohit can feel the pressure,” Kotak said after the Cardiff match.“He’s too good a player to feel that. Yes he hasn’t scored in two games. I don’t think that makes any difference. But today also it looked like he’ll get a good innings but that’s okay [that he didn’t get a big score].”
