For Rohit Interview, Gambhir Asks Kohli For 1 Question. Gets Epic Reply

Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field. Don't think there is a better sentence to describe the relationship between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and star batter Virat Kohli. The two share a history when it comes to on-field altercations, having played plenty of cricket together and against each other. The two Delhi boys, in a video shared by the BCCI, sat down to discuss their careers, highs and lows, and the on-field battles in the past.

During the light-hearted chat, Gambhir asked Virat, "So Virat, the next guest is Rohit. What do you want me to ask? What should be the first question?"

Kohli told Gambhir to ask Rohit whether he eats soaked almonds in the morning. 

"I think it is a very simple question to Rohit. Ki subah bheege badam khate ho ki nahi (Do you eat soaked almonds in the morning?)."

This prompted laughter from Gambhir, who replied: "That will help Rohit remember to come in at 11 am, not at night. Ke subah 11 bhaje ke jagah, raat ko 11 bhaje na aa jaye (So that he comes in at 11 am and not 11 pm)."

"So, Rohit, that's the first question for you," Kohli confirmed the query.

The lighthearted conversation was shared by the BCCI on the eve of the start of the 1st Test against Bangladesh.

Gambhir also gave a press conference on Wednesday and underlined the significance for him to build on the existing cordial relationship with the senior players like skipper Rohit Sharma and batting talisman Virat Kohli to take Indian cricket forward.

"It's still early days (for him as coach). But the good part is that I have played with those guys (seniors). At one stage we were sharing the dressing room as players, when they were younger, who have now become experienced guys," Gambhir said in the pre-match press meet here.

"When you have that kind of a relationship, sometimes it gets much easier than building a relationship. Obviously, now the roles are different.

"The relationship we can build over a period of next couple of years. It's going to be very important, and now we should keep taking it a little bit forward because we've got massive challenges coming our way," he added.

(With PTI Inputs)

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"Simple Funda Hai...": Axar Patel Sums Up Rohit Sharma Captaincy Style

India captain Rohit Sharma commands great respect from his peers and has often been described as an easy guy to hangout with. Rohit's on-field communication with players has also given fans a glimpse of they style of his captaincy. Delving deep into the topic, India all-rounder Axar Patel explained how Rohit gives bowlers complete freedom to execute plans, but also likes to do his own homework beforehand, drafting strategies before matches, not just for the opponent teams but individual players as well.

"Simple funda hai unka. He doesn't like to complicate things too much. He comes in after learning his lessons. He knows which bowler will be used in what kind of situation and which one won't and after that he would leave it to the bowlers," Axar said in a chat with Vimal Kumar on YouTube.

"He doesn't interfere much with the bowlers. Yes if I ask that I want this thing and I am planning this, then he will give that without any qualms. But if that didn't work then he would come in and suggest that it might not be working and say I feel something else might be better," he added.

Axar said that he shares a great rapport with Rohit, to the extent that they never had to argue over a decision, even when their decisions differed from each other.

"It has never, at least for me I haven't argued with him, such is the rapport between us that I have never had an argument with him nor have I ever disagreed with him," he added.

"Rohit as a captain does not think that a lefty cannot bowl to a left-arm batter or a righty to a right-arm batter. That is the sign of a captain whether you can recognise the strength of the bowler and know that this person can get you out of a tough situation," he concluded.

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Kohli Opens Up On Dhoni Exit Challenge, Gambhir Gives Priceless Response

In a heart-to-heart conversation, Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir gave fans the memory of a lifetime. Often making news because of the 'masala' in their relationship, Kohli opened his heart in front of Gambhir, the man who recently took up the role of Team India's head coach. As the two discussed their careers, personalities and vision through this journey of Indian cricket, some brilliant tales were narrated.

While discussing the famous Australia series of 2014-15, Virat opened up the on the challenge he found ahead of him as MS Dhoni announced his decision to quit Test captaincy, leaving the responsibility of a young team on Kohli's shoulders.

"The thing that excited me about Test cricket and when I was coming up as captain was the challenge. We were transitioning when you guys had made way for a youngster team and Mahi bhai left Test captaincy. I was 25, so for me it was like 'I am here with a bunch of 24-25 year-old guys. How do we become household names?' We sat down and thought 'I really need to plan this out. This can't happen by chance'," Kohli said during the chat with head coach Gambhir in an interview arranged by the BCCI.

Rather than being bogged down by the weight of the responsibility, Kohli decided to rise to the occasion. The rest, as they say, is history.

"When I started thinking from the point of view where Indian cricket has to be in 7 years' time, the solutions came. We need a group of fast bowlers. We need batters who can bat long. We need to give ownership to five batters and a keeper to get us 350-400. We can't have a seventh option. I remember the challenge excited me. I didn't feel like 'Oh my god! I don't want any part in this'. And that's when I was like I am all in."

Kohli also found comfort in Gambhir's words as the India head coach lauded him for leading the troops valiantly despite being a young 25-year-old batter himself.

"I can understand what you might have gone through. A 24-25 year-old boy taking up Test captaincy and then what you did brilliantly was that you had a really strong bowling unit. Test matches are won by taking 20 wickets. Till the time you don't have a strong bowling line-up, you won't [win]. And that is what made you the most successful Test captain in the country," said Gambhir.

"Credit has to go to you because as a batter it is very easy to have a strong 6-7 batters putting runs on the board but the way you identified and more importantly, the attitude which you brought on the field from fast bowlers. Imagine having people like Shami, Bumrah, Ishant, Umesh and then winning overseas. I remember you playing that knock in Adelaide. We were chasing 400; it was your first game as captain, and you still wanted to win that Test match. That is the mindset, that is the culture we want to bring in," he further asserted.

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Bad News For Shreyas Iyer: BCCI Officials Say "No Room, Won't Go To..."

Star India batter Shreyas Iyer is currently not in the scheme of things, as far as Test cricket is concerned. Iyer, who was not picked by the selectors for the 1st Test against Bangladesh, has endured a torrid run in the ongoing Duleep Trophy scoring just 104 runs in four innings. The batter has fallen behind in the pecking order, with youngsters like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel impressing in the whites against England earlier this year. With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul also part of the squad for the series opener, Iyer's form in the Duleep Trophy has further dented his hopes of making a Test comeback any time soon.

Now, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official has claimed that there's no room for Iyer in the current Test team, raising concerns over his inability to capitalise on batting pitches in the Duleep Trophy.

"At the moment, there's no room for Shreyas to be in the Test team. Who will he replace? Besides, his shot selection has been a concern in Duleep, especially yesterday (Sunday). He was well set and then suddenly played such a shot (off left-arm spinner Shams Mulani). When you are set and then batting on a flat deck, you need to make the best use of that opportunity.," the BCCI official told Telegraph.

Meanwhile, another board official has suggested that Iyer will continue to do the hard yards in the Domestic circuit. it is unlikely that the player will be picked for the five-match Test tour of Australia later this year.

"Shreyas could be there (in the Mumbai squad) for the Irani Cup (beginning on October 1 in Lucknow). Even if he's picked for the Bangladesh T20Is (from October 6), he still might play Irani and then be available from the second T20I onwards," another board official said.

"Now, if he doesn't fire in Irani too, he still has the Ranji Trophy to get runs. It wasn't too many days ago when he was batting so well in last year's ODI World Cup. He suffered an injury too, which needs to be considered. Also, with still one round left in Duleep, you never know he might score a hundred. He needs to regain form. Most likely he won't go to Australia for his problems against the short ball, but one can't just ignore his runs at home," he added.

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Bangladesh Tests 'No Dress Rehearsal', Says India Skipper Rohit Sharma

Captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday warned his India team there is "no dress rehearsal" in cricket as they face a Bangladesh side fresh from a historic Test series win over Pakistan. India lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings ahead of Australia, where Rohit's team will tour for a five-match series later in the year. But first they host Bangladesh in a two-Test series, starting with the opener in the northern Indian city of Chennai from Thursday. India are clear favourites but the visitors recently celebrated a landmark 2-0 series sweep in Pakistan. "There is no dress rehearsal kind of stuff happening here," Rohit told reporters, cautioning against minds turning too quickly to Australia.

"Every game is important because of what is at stake -- the WTC table is quite wide open," Rohit added. "We want to win here, and start the season on a high."

The skipper added: "In terms of preparation, in terms of readiness, I feel we are quite ready for this game, and what lies ahead of us."

India's last Test series was at home earlier this year when they beat England 4-1.

India won the T20 World Cup in June, their first International Cricket Council title in 11 years.

But there was "no way" his players would "relax and sit back" as a result, the 37-year-old Rohit said.

"Us cricketers, we have got limited time to play the game, to make an impact in the sport that we play," he said.

India will host New Zealand for three Tests in October and November, before travelling to Australia, the current World Test champions.

"Every team likes to beat India. Let them have fun," said Rohit of a Bangladesh team on a high after their first win over Pakistan.

"We need to win the match and that's what we are here for."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: Dhoni Spotted At NFL Game In Michigan During Vacation With Friends

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni was spotted in the United States of America as he was on a vacation with some of his close friends. The veteran wicket-keeper batter is widely expected to play for Chennai Super Kings with multiple reports claiming that the franchise will retain him ahead of the 2025 season. There have also been reports that he can be categorised as an "uncapped player" because of his international retirement but the BCCI has not confirmed anything officially. In a video posted by his friend Hitesh Sanghvi on Instagram, Dhoni was seen enjoying with his friends and they also went to a National Football League (NFL) game with his friends in Michigan.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seamer Tushar Deshpande shared some inspirational words from MS Dhoni that motivated him ahead of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Deshpande, who had initially struggled in the competition, played a crucial role in CSK's fifth title victory, solidifying his position in the bowling unit.

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A post shared by Hitesh Sanghvi (@hitesh412740)

During the 2023 season, CSK faced a significant injury crisis within their pace bowling department, with Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar, Sisanda Magala, Simarjeet Singh, and Mukesh Choudhary all sidelined by serious injuries.

In their absence, Deshpande led the attack alongside young talents like Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Matheesha Pathirana, and Akash Singh. Deshpande rose to the challenge, taking 21 wickets in 16 matches with an economy rate of 9.92.

Deshpande recounted a motivating conversation with Dhoni at Chepauk during the IPL 2023 preparation camp.

"You have everything to succeed at international level. But you have to be calm during your run-up. Don't get distracted by the crowd. Just take a deep breath, stay calm and bowl.' If Mahi tells you that you have everything to be successful at international level, boss, that itself is an achievement," Deshpande told ESPNcricinfo.

(With ANI inputs)

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"Saw Sachin Unhappy For 1st Time": Ex-Ind Star On Infamous 194* Declaration

The Multan Test between India and Pakistan in 2004 is remembered for Virender Sehwag's swashbuckling 309 - the first time an Indian cricketer scored a Test triple-century. However, there was another incident from the Test match that went on to become one of the controversial moments of Indian cricket. With India batting on 675/5 and Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 194, skipper Rahul Dravid decided to declare the first innings. While the decision was taken by the Indian cricket team considering the match situation, it meant that Sachin was left stranded six runs away from his double century. Sachin was visibly disappointed with the decision and it was widely criticised by both fans and experts. Former India batter Aakash Chopra recently spoke about the incident and how Tendulkar was extremely "unhappy".

“I was in the dressing room, but I wasn't part of that conversation. To be very honest, I didn't even try to get into it because I was too young. Yes, paaji wasn't happy that day. I think I saw him unhappy for the first time. I never saw him lose temper, and he didn't exactly lose temper that day but he was visibly unhappy. Something wasn't right,” Chopra told YouTube channel 2 Sloggers.

Chopra further said that it was the team's decision to declare the innings and not Dravid's alone. He added that Sourav Ganguly was also in the dressing room despite not playing the match and he was a part of the think-tank that took the decision.

“Rahul did call, but Dada (Ganguly) was part of the dressing room that day too. He wasn't playing in that game, but he was in dressing room and I'm sure he was part of the think-tank. It wasn't the captain's decision alone,” said Chopra.

"After the game, Rahul did say that he wouldn't have declared had he known the match would end within 4 days. With Rahul, it is possible that in heat of the moment, you agree or disagree. But you don't doubt his decision. You know that even if he was at a similar position, he would've taken the same decision.”

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