India captain Virat Kohli has categorically denied any rift with Rohit Sharma, his deputy in limited-over cricket. Kohli stressed that the team wouldn’t have performed consistently for the last two-three years had the team environment not been conducive.
“It’s baffling. It’s absolutely ridiculous to read such stuff. I have been to a few public events, and people told me that we have played well and there’s so much respect and here we are feeding off lies, overlooking facts.
“We are turning a blind eye to all the good things that’s happened. We are creating fantasies in our head and we want to accept that it’s the truth,” Kohli said ahead of the team’s departure for a full series against the West Indies.
Over the last week, sections of the Indian media have reported on the alleged fall-out between Kohli and Rohit, even dragging the cricketers’ wives into the alleged feud. Kohli reacted strongly to it.
“I have seen this for too long now. Bringing personal lives is disrespectful. I have played for 11 years, Rohit has played for 10 years. It’s bizarre that people are creating this stuff from outside,” Kohli said.
“Come, see in the dressing room. See for yourself how (we speak to) Kuldeep Yadav or how we joke with a senior like M.S. Dhoni. Come and see the atmosphere. We can’t show you videos here. It baffles you as a leader, as a coach and as a team when lies are floated around. They are made to look believable.”
'My face will show'
When asked if he had discussed these reports with Rohit and whether there has been any awkwardness between the duo, Kohli said: “I will tell you something about myself, if I don’t like a person or if I am insecure of a person then you will see that on my face or in my behaviour towards the person, that is how simple it is.
“I have always praised Rohit, whenever I had the opportunity because I believe he is that good. We have had no issues. As I said it is baffling, to be honest. I don’t know who is benefiting from all of this.
“We are living, breathing and working towards getting Indian cricket to the top and here people want to get some pleasure in bringing it down. I don’t understand how that works.
“Within the team it is there for everyone to see the kind of camaraderie and friendship, and it is evident on the field. You can’t play with that kind of passion if people don’t get along with each other.
Head coach Ravi Shastri had the parting shot. “The way this team plays, no individual is bigger than the game, not me, not him (Kohli), nobody in the team. The way they play, it is in the interest of the team. You cannot have the kind of consistency across all formats, if you have, like you mention rifts or divisions or whatever, it is not possible,” said Shastri.
“I have been part of the dressing room for some time now, and none of that nonsense was there,” he added.
