India captain Virat Kohli rubbished reports of a rift with star batsman Rohit Sharma as “ridiculous”, insisting all is well within the team ahead of the West Indies tour.
Reports emerged in Indian media about a fallout between Kohli and Rohit during the later stages of the 2019 World Cup. Also, Rohit – who is seen by many as a better white-ball captain than Kohli – recently unfollowed Kohli and the captain’s actor wife Anushka Sharma on Instagram, adding fuel to the rift reports.
However, ahead of the team’s departure to the Caribbean on Monday, Kohli insisted there are no issues between him and Rohit.
“In my opinion it’s baffling to be honest. Ridiculous to read some of the stuff that comes out,” the 30-year-old said in Mumbai.
“Here we are feeding off lies, we are overlooking facts, turning a blind eye to all the good things that have happened. And creating fantasies and scenarios in our head and we want to accept this is the truth.”
“I have seen this for too long now. It’s bringing personal lives into the picture. It is disrespectful after a moment.”
It is baffling to read (reports of an alleged rift). We are feeding off lies, overlooking facts & turning a blind eye to all the good things that have happened. It is disrespectful: @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/gl9oPm8veE
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2019
Rohit scored a record five centuries at the World Cup while Kohli hit as many fifties as India bowed out of the tournament after a narrow loss to the New Zealand in the semi-final.
There was speculation that even the Indian board was considering splitting the captaincy between Rohit and Kohli. However, Kohli decided to play the entire tour of the West Indies and will thus lead all three sides. The skipper said the atmosphere inside the dressing room is as good as it can be.
“I have played the game for 11 years, Rohit’s played for 10 years, it’s bizarre that you know… this from the outside when the change room environment is so good,” said Kohli.
“Please come and see for yourself, how to talk to a young Kuldeep Yadav or talk with respect to a senior like MS Dhoni. We can’t show you a video.
“It baffles you as a leader, as a coach, and as a team when lies are being floated around. And they are made to look believable. We have had no issues.”
India’s tour of the West Indies starts on August 3 with the first of three T20s followed by three ODI matches and two Tests.
