Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir recently made a remark about Virat Kohli that received loud applause during an interview. When asked whose body he would choose to switch into if given the chance, the 43-year-old picked Kohli, praising his exceptional fitness.
At 36, Kohli continues to be one of the fittest players in the game and is widely regarded as one of the top all-format batters of this generation. Though he retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win last year, he still actively plays in Tests and ODIs.
This moment took place during ABP News’ India At 2047 Summit, where an anchor posed the question to Gambhir. He said:
“Agar aap ek din ke liye kisi aur cricketer ki shareer mein jaa sakte hain, toh aap kisko chunenge aur kyun? (If you had to pick a cricketer whose body you can go into for one day, who would you choose and why?)”
The ex-opener replied:
“Virat Kohli. Obviously he is the fittest guy in the team.”
Gambhir 🤝 Virat pic.twitter.com/FgycxC0Q3k
— Lala (@FabulasGuy) May 6, 2025
His answer sparked a huge cheer and applause from the audience. Despite past tensions between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir during the IPL, they have worked well together since Gambhir became coach last year.
“When you start and end is your own decision”- Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future
When asked about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following their underwhelming performances in Tests against New Zealand and Australia, the former cricketer expressed that they should keep playing. At the same summit, Gautam Gambhir shared his views:
“First things first, a coach’s job isn’t selecting the team. It is the job of selectors to select. The coach only selects the 11 who will play a match. Neither those who coached before me were selectors nor am I a selector.”
“Till the time they (Rohit and Kohli) are performing, they should be a part of the team. When you start and when you end, is your individual decision. No coach, no selector, no BCCI can tell you when you should call it quits. If you perform, then why 40, you can jolly well play till 45, who’s stopping you?”
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