On Tuesday, India secured a spot in the final of Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating Australia by four wickets in the semi-final match. Virat Kohli played a crucial role in the victory, scoring a sensible knock of 84 runs. However, the manner of his dismissal left fans upset. India needed 40 runs off 45 balls when the 36-year-old batter attempted a big shot and was caught out. Fans were disappointed, and non-striker KL Rahul also seemed unhappy with Kohli, as he was heard saying, “I was hitting, man. Why did you take the risk?”
Virat Kohli shouts at Gautam Gambhir’s ears
After reaching the dressing room, Kohli was seen having an animated chat with head coach Gautam Gambhir. It appeared that Gambhir was possibly displeased with Kohli’s shot selection and was offering advice. Later, Hardik Pandya came out to bat, and when he smashed a massive six, Kohli, standing behind Gambhir in the dressing room, celebrated loudly in his ear. This incident caught the attention of netizens.
Netizens speculated that Virat Kohli was expressing his frustration toward Gambhir. However, after India’s victory, Kohli and Gambhir shared a warm hug, putting any speculated tensions to rest. After the match, Gambhir even acknowledged and praised Virat Kohli’s innings.
Gambhir saab totally upset with kohli. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/ABmrAgnPhV
— Kohlistic🔥 (@Kohlistic18) March 4, 2025
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's reaction on kung fu pandya's big sixes pic.twitter.com/7x5d1dOOPk
— ••TAUKIR•• (@iitaukir) March 4, 2025
In the post-match press conference, India’s head coach also addressed Virat Kohli’s dismissal against a leg-spinner. Defending Kohli, Gambhir stated that he has already scored runs in the 2025 Champions Trophy, including a century, and that for someone who has played 300 ODIs, getting out to a wrist spinner is not a big deal.
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“I think he has got a hundred in this competition, he has got a ninety (eighty) in this competition and eventually, when you have got runs in this competition, you will eventually get out to some kind of a bowler. So rather than dissecting and bisecting that he has got out to leg spin and then when you have played 300 ODIs, you will eventually get out to certain kinds of bowlers and that is okay.” said Gautam Gambhir.
