India’s hard-fought 2–1 ODI series victory over South Africa on December 6 should have ended with unanimous praise for the team’s senior stalwarts. Instead, the spotlight shifted to the post-match press conference, where head coach Gautam Gambhir made little mention of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — the very batters who shaped the series. This omission didn’t go unnoticed, especially by former India cricketer and Gambhir’s ex-teammate Robin Uthappa, whose comments have triggered a larger debate across the cricketing community.

Kohli enjoyed one of his most commanding ODI outings in recent years, amassing 302 runs at a staggering average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05, capped by two sublime centuries. Rohit Sharma, too, made valuable contributions, scoring 146 runs at an average of 48.66, maintaining an aggressive strike rate above 110. Together, they provided the backbone of India’s batting effort and were instrumental in clinching the series. Robin Uthappa felt these performances deserved explicit acknowledgement from the head coach.

“What I found surprising is that in the post-match press conference, I didn’t see Gautam giving credit to either Rohit or Virat. These are two guys who batted out of their skins and showed everyone what they’re capable of. They silenced every doubt and reminded the world of the impact they can have when in full flow. That felt strange,” Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

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The timing of this perceived snub has added fuel to ongoing rumours about tension between Gambhir and Kohli. Some fans believed Kohli appeared to ignore Gambhir after Gambhir scored his hundred in the first ODI in Ranchi. Meanwhile, clips of Gambhir casually chatting with Rohit soon circulated on social media, further fueling speculation.

During the press conference, Gambhir focused more on team dynamics and long-term planning, offering limited direct praise for the senior pair. Uthappa highlighted this as an unusual oversight, especially given the duo’s match-defining roles.

Both Kohli and Rohit remain deeply invested in the ODI format despite scaling back their international commitments. After stepping away from Tests and T20Is earlier this year, the pair continues to be at the heart of India’s 50-over vision — sparking discussions about their involvement in the 2027 ODI World Cup. When asked about the rise of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who both scored centuries when stepping in for Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, Gambhir refrained from making long-term predictions.

“The ODI World Cup is still two years away. It’s important to stay present. These senior guys are world-class players, and their experience is invaluable. Hopefully, they keep doing what they’ve been doing, which will be crucial in the 50-over format,” he said.

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Kohli and Rohit’s outstanding form has since pushed them to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, with Kohli climbing to No. 2 after his stellar tour of South Africa.

With a home series against New Zealand looming in January 2026, the duo remains the cornerstone of India’s ODI ambitions. Regardless of Gambhir’s muted praise, their performances continue to make the loudest statement — both now and for the journey ahead.