New Delhi : Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh stirred a fresh round of debate within the cricket fraternity after questioning the decision-makers handling the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. At a time when speculation around the duo’s relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has dominated discussion, Harbhajan’s pointed remarks have added a new dimension to an already tense narrative.
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan offered a sharp critique of the environment surrounding India’s senior players, saying that the decisions about their future appear to be influenced by individuals who, in his view, have not achieved enough in their own careers. His comments come amid ongoing rumours of a communication gap between Kohli, Rohit and Gambhir, alongside reports that the BCCI may hold discussions with the team management to address the growing discomfort.
“It is beyond our understanding. I may not be able to answer because I have been a player myself and what I have seen has happened to me as well. It has happened to many of my teammates, but it is very unfortunate. We don’t talk about it or have a discussion about it,” Harbhajan told PTI, hinting at a pattern he believes has affected several prominent players over the years.
“It is a bit unfortunate that those people are deciding about their future who have not achieved much,” he added, before highlighting the continued excellence of Kohli and Rohit. “They have always scored runs and have always been great players for India I’m so happy for them, they are going very, very strong. Not just going strong but setting the example for the younger generation to follow and what it takes to be a champion.”
Harbhajan’s comments resurface at a time when rumours of an uneasy relationship between Kohli, Rohit and Gambhir continue to gather momentum. Reports suggest a widening communication gap and a cooling of ties—an unexpected development considering Gambhir’s preference for direct, structured leadership and his emphasis on collective discipline.
The tension has been amplified by India’s recent Test setbacks, which have brought the head coach under heavy online criticism. According to some reports, the sustained negativity has reached a level that has prompted concern within sections of the BCCI, further heightening the sense of instability around the setup.
Amid the noise, Kohli and Rohit have let their on-field performances speak for them. Rohit dominated the Australia series to finish as the highest run-scorer and Player of the Series, while Kohli has struck consecutive centuries in the ongoing ODIs against South Africa. As discussions turn towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, both players continue to strengthen their case, even as uncertainty persists over how their roles align with Gambhir’s long-term vision.
