IndiaRecently won the ODI series 2-1 South Africa Display Rohit Sharma And Virat KohliHis permanent class in the 50-over format, yet the head coach Gautam GambhirPost-match comments sparked unexpected controversy. Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa Gambhir expressed surprise at the duo’s apparent oversight of key roles, sparking debate about team dynamics ahead of future white-ball campaigns. Kohli scored 302 runs including two centuries and a half-century to claim Player of the Series, while Rohit scored 146 runs with two half-centuries in the chase in Ranchi and Visakhapatnam.
Robin Uthappa questions Gautam Gambhir’s silence on the brilliant performance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Uthappa recently highlighted the oddity during a YouTube discussion that Gambhir’s press conference after the decisive third ODI in Visakhapatnam largely sidelined the senior batsman’s typical praise despite his match-defining innings.
,What surprised me was that I did not see Gautam giving credit to Rohit or Virat. Here are some people who have batted with all their mightUthappa commented on his YouTube channel, highlighting how his form has silenced critics questioning his ODI relevance.
India chased 271 runs in the final with Rohit’s 75 and Kohli’s unbeaten 65-run partnership. Yashasvi JaiswalWhereas, this is the first ODI century -Kuldeep Yadav And Prasidh Krishna Each took four wickets to bowl out South Africa for 270.
This response is in contrast to Uthappa’s earlier defense of Gambhir during difficult phases such as the Test defeat, underscoring the expectation of acceptance after such dominance. Gambhir instead focused on collective intent and long-term preparation, noting that the 2027 ODI World Cup is a long way off and he stressed the value of an experienced dressing room as well as the current focus.
Increase in ranking and focus on future of Kohli and Rohit
This series took Kohli to second place ICC ODI batting rankings With 773 points, just behind Rohit’s top scorer of 781, showing his consistency amid India’s transition. Rohit retained the top spot after his consistent 48.67 average contribution in the series, while Kohli’s 151 average took him closer to reclaiming the lost No. 1 in 2021. South Africa tied the target 1-1 in a thrilling four-wicket chase in Raipur, but India’s victory in the first and third ODIs was sealed on the back of Kohli’s 135 and the composure of the seniors.
Amid speculation over senior roles for the upcoming cycles, Gambhir’s measured response prioritized team development over individual accolades. Uthappa’s criticism highlights the tension between youth integration versus giving credit to experience, as India look to T20Is and beyond after the whitewashed upset in Tests.
Also read: When will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play their next match for Team India?
