India clinched a thrilling victory in the first ODI, but the focus remains fixed not on the scoreboard, but on the team hotel lobby. A viral clip showing Virat Kohli walking past the post-match celebrations, seemingly ignoring repeated calls from teammates and hotel staff, has raised significant concerns about the current atmosphere within the Indian ODI setup.

Adding fuel to the fire, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma were captured in yet another intense conversation in the same lobby, moments after an earlier animated exchange in the dressing room had already gone viral. While the on-field performance was a success, the off-field visuals have left fans wondering if tension is simmering beneath the surface.

The Player of the Match and the Party Skip

Kohli, who had just smashed a match-winning century to earn the Player of the Match award, was expected to lead the celebrations. However, the video clearly shows the star batter entering the lobby where a cake-cutting ceremony was underway and, despite calls, walking straight past the gathering toward the elevator.

This action immediately sparked debate across social media platforms. While some fans speculated about a possible exhaustion, citing his age (37) and need for recovery after an intense innings, others quickly connected the act to the circulating tension narratives. Kohli himself had stated in the post-match presentation that he is only playing one format now and needs time for recovery, but his visible avoidance of the communal celebration was unusual and immediately amplified existing speculation about internal team dynamics.

Gambhir and Rohit’s Intense Huddle

The second layer of the controversy involves head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior batter Rohit Sharma. The duo was seen having a prolonged, serious discussion in the dressing room after the win, and the conversation appeared to continue in the hotel lobby, positioned behind the celebration.

In the viral clip, both men were intensely engaged, sporting serious expressions that suggested a discussion far weightier than standard post-match debriefs. The fact that their conversation continued while the rest of the team was enjoying a celebratory moment has been interpreted by many as evidence of deep-seated issues that are demanding the attention of the team's leadership, even amid a victory.

Is the Kohli-Gambhir Tension Real?

The most persistent question weaving through this entire saga is the alleged strained relationship between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. Reports have repeatedly surfaced suggesting that the relationship between the coach and the two senior players, Kohli and Sharma, has been under duress, particularly since Gambhir's appointment.

The clips showing Kohli walking past the celebration, and another widely circulated video showing him seemingly ignoring Gambhir in the dressing room, have only intensified these rumors. While official sources remain silent, the public display of avoidance by Kohli and the persistent, intense discussions involving the coach and Rohit Sharma paint a picture of an ODI setup where internal communication may be struggling.As the team moves to the next venue, the BCCI is reportedly planning a crucial meeting to address communication and the future roles of the senior players. The current atmosphere suggests that despite their on-field brilliance, the team is grappling with significant off-field dynamics that demand immediate resolution.
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