Nothing slips past the sharp, investigative gaze of social media, especially when it comes to the Indian cricket team. With ongoing chatter about tension between senior players and the team management in the ODI setup, every gesture, glance, and moment from the series opener in Ranchi became raw material for fan theories on Sunday.
From Virat Kohli’s alleged “death stare” after Rohit Sharma reached his half-century to the former skipper’s charged celebration upon bringing up his 52nd ODI hundred, fans wasted no time decoding supposed hidden meanings behind each action. But the latest clip that sent the internet into overdrive features Kohli and India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The viral video shows Kohli focused on his phone as Gambhir walks into the dressing room following India’s thrilling 17-run win over South Africa. Many viewers claimed Kohli “ignored” the head coach, fuelling fresh speculation about an uneasy dynamic between the two former teammates.
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Amid these circulating narratives, reports suggest the BCCI is keeping a close eye on the communication gap between the senior players and the coaching staff. According to Dainik Jagran, not everything is harmonious between Gambhir and senior members like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With social media criticism of Gambhir also rising, the board is reportedly considering a meeting before the second ODI in Raipur to address the issue.
GAUTAM Gambhir appreciate Virat Kohli inning ..
Great gesture by Coach .#INDvsSA #ViratKohli #GautamGambhir #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/ypDnsC0iZV
— Manvendra Sharma (@Manvendra__17) November 30, 2025
Kohli completely ignored gambhir after win 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/XNBwPZPN0q
— ADITYA (@Wxtreme10) December 1, 2025
Despite the off-field noise, the on-field brilliance from the Indian stalwarts overshadowed everything else. Kohli delivered a masterclass with a sensational 135 off 120 balls, marking his record-extending 52nd ODI century. Rohit Sharma, too, played an impactful hand, scoring a fluent half-century while breaking Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for the most sixes in ODI history.
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India posted a formidable 349/8 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex before reducing South Africa to 130/5. However, the Proteas staged a spirited comeback through Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70), followed by a fighting 67 from Corbin Bosch. But Prasidh Krishna’s timely strike in the final over sealed the win and gave India a crucial 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
