Ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has touched upon his relationship with veteran star Rohit Sharma, who has been named in the squad for the West Indies series which is highly crucial for India in their preparation for the fast approaching ODI World Cup 2027.
The series will also help the management in identifying the best combination ahead of the global event. Notably, Rohit Sharma’s future has been a recurring subject of discussion in recent months because he will turn 40 when the 2027 World Cup is played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, making his place in the long-term plan a contentious issue.
Rohit, on the other hand, silenced his critics during the third ODI against England at Lord’s in July, smashing 138 from 110 deliveries, giving India a spectacular start to their chase of 388. Though India lost the match by 27 runs to lose the series 2-1, Rohit Sharma cemented his place in the team. Meanwhile, Gambhir asserted that his relationship with Rohit Sharma is not just limited to the coach-captain; rather, it goes back to their playing days.
"I don't think so. See, Rohit's and my relationship wasn't just that of captain and coach. Rohit's and my relationship goes back to when Rohit came into the team and I was a senior player at that time. So Rohit's and my relationship dates back to then,” Gambhir said on JioHotstar.
"Rohit knew me from then. It's not like Rohit and I had a new relationship, or that I came in as a coach from a foreign country who had neither seen Rohit play nor knew him individually or personally, or what kind of person he is. So often, when you have played together, things become very easy. In fact, he knows my thinking, and I know his thinking."
"Tomorrow, I might have one way of thinking and the captain might have another, but ultimately, whatever is in the best interest of the team should be the final decision. Nothing can be better than that. That's why I said that with all four captains I have worked with, this has been my experience. Everyone's intention has been to serve Indian cricket."
The first ODI between India and West Indies will be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. India’s star-studded lineup will see Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj return to the field.