The relationship between India captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly deteriorated during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, despite the two having shared a strong professional equation earlier.
A report has claimed that Rohit himself had approached Gambhir in 2024 and encouraged him to join the Indian team setup as a coach. The development comes amid continued speculation surrounding the Indian dressing room, with reports suggesting differences between senior players, the coaching staff, and selectors.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), however, recently dismissed rumours that Rohit Sharma would be playing his final international match in the third ODI against England at Lord’s. Earlier, reports had suggested that selectors were looking beyond Rohit as part of their long-term plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected claims that the veteran batter’s ODI career was coming to an end, stating that the match against England would not be his final appearance for India.
According to a report, Rohit and Gambhir’s relationship began to face challenges during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The report claimed that tensions emerged during the series, though specific details about the disagreements were not publicly disclosed. The report also highlighted that Rohit had played a role in bringing Gambhir into the Indian coaching setup. It claimed that Rohit approached Gambhir during a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) away match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2024.
During a training session, Rohit reportedly asked Gambhir to consider joining the Indian team. The former India opener is said to have responded that he would accept the opportunity if Rohit continued as captain. Gambhir was later appointed as India’s head coach, taking charge of the national team setup. The reported change in equation between the two has added to discussions around the functioning of the Indian team management. Along with Rohit and Gambhir, senior batter Virat Kohli and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have also been mentioned in reports about internal dynamics within the team.
Rohit remains one of India’s most successful white-ball cricketers, having led the team to major victories and played a key role in several international campaigns. Gambhir, meanwhile, brought extensive experience as a former India opener and a successful coach in franchise cricket before taking up the national role. The Indian team is currently navigating a transition phase, with selectors focused on balancing the contributions of experienced players with the emergence of younger talent.
Decisions regarding leadership, player selection, and long-term planning are expected to remain closely watched as India prepares for future global tournaments. While neither Rohit nor Gambhir has publicly commented on reports of a strained relationship, the speculation highlights the challenges involved in managing a team featuring several high-profile personalities. The focus now remains on India’s performances on the field and how the team management handles the transition ahead.