'I must have made mistakes': Gautam Gambhir opens up on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli equation

Kolkata: Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has acknowledged that his handling of relationships with senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may have fallen short at times, conceding that “I must have made mistakes in the last 18 months” while insisting every call was taken with “the right intent”.

Addressing the RevSportz Conclave here on Saturday, Gambhir faced pointed questions about persistent media reports of a strained equation with the two stalwarts, both of whom retired from Test cricket during India’s turbulent 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. Although the 42-year-old coach stopped short of detailing specific flashpoints, he invited scrutiny of his tenure rather than shying away from it.

“I’m a human. I should be allowed to make mistakes. Just like anyone else, a player should be allowed to make mistakes,” Gambhir said. “Wrong decision with right intent is acceptable, but wrong decision with wrong intent is not in that dressing room.”

Appointed in July 2024, Gambhir’s reign has been a study in contrasts. Test defeats invited fierce criticism and fuelled speculation that differences with Kohli and Rohit had hastened their red-ball exits. Yet in white-ball cricket India soared, claiming the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2025 Asia Cup under his watch.

Asked about social-media chatter alleging that “some people” were trying to drive a wedge between him and the players, Gambhir reiterated that honest dialogue remains his compass.

“Till the time I am doing everything with honesty, till the time I can be honest with everyone in that dressing room, I can look into their eyes and talk to them, I think I am doing a fair job with my position,” he said. “I don’t need to clarify anything and everything that appears on social media.”

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has shared in the flak surrounding the Test retirements, but neither the BCCI nor the players have suggested any coercion. For now, Gambhir appears ready to live with the ambiguity, backing his processes and the silverware that has accompanied them.