Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 6, 2025, 17:20 IST

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Gautam Gambhir, the new Indian cricket team head coach, has made it clear that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future hinges solely on performance. He emphasized that delivering results is paramount for selection, dismissing any notions of farewells based on legacy. Gambhir also addressed media speculation about his relationship with Kohli, downplaying it as playful banter between two Delhi natives.

Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has broken his silence on the future of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, making it clear that performance—not reputation—will determine their place in the national team.
In a strong message that cuts through speculation around team transitions and potential farewells, Gambhir said, “Till the time they are performing, they should be a part of the team. Performance ensures selection. No coach, selector, or even the BCCI can tell someone to stop playing if they’re delivering.”

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Gambhir also dismissed any notions of planned farewells for Indian greats, reinforcing that emotional send-offs have no place in a high-performance environment. “No sportsman plays for farewell. The biggest farewell and trophy is the love of the country. That is what truly matters,” he said.

Speaking at the ABP India At 2047 Summit, the former India opener reiterated that his role is not to pick favourites but to uphold meritocracy. “It's not the coach’s job to pick the team; that’s for the selectors. My responsibility is to prepare whoever is selected to perform for India,” he noted.
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Gambhir on his relationship with Kohli

Gambhir struck a playful note: “It’s just two Delhi boys having fun. If that’s a problem, I’ll tell the BCCI to stop posting about it.”

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Known for his combative style on and off the field, Gambhir stood firm on his temperament. “I want to be a winner. Nobody wants to lose. I don’t want to change anything in that,” he declared.
As India’s cricketing landscape enters a new phase, Gambhir’s message is unmistakable: there will be no place for sentiment or legacy if it comes at the cost of performance.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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