Virat Kohli breaks silence on rift with Rohit Sharma, says ridiculous to read such stuff

Tags: India tour of West Indies 2019, India, Virat Kohli, Rohit Gurunath Sharma

Published on: Jul 30, 2019

Ahead of Indian team's departure for West Indies, Team India skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media and, on expected lines, was asked the million-dollar question

Ahead of Indian team's departure for West Indies, Team India skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media and, on expected lines, was asked the million-dollar question -- is everything all right between him and deputy Rohit Sharma?

Not only did Kohli dismiss all reports of a problem between him and Rohit, but also added that such unfounded allegations were disrespectful to players' personal lives. He further claimed that people were feeding off lies.

Speaking to the media in Mumbai in a much-awaited press conference, Kohli stated, “I have heard a lot of things from the outside, If the atmosphere was not right then we would not have been able to come on top of ODI.”

“In my opinion, it’s baffling. It’s ridiculous to read such stuff. We are feeding on lies and overlooking facts and creating fantasies and scenarios. Bringing personal lives into the picture is disrespectful. Baffling that lies are being floated.”

“We wouldn’t have had the kind of performances we’ve had if the dressing room atmosphere wasn’t a good one. The kind of performances we’ve had is only possible due to the camaraderie, trust, and understanding in our team.”

“You enter the dressing room and witness for yourself the kind of healthy atmosphere that’s there. Bizarre how lies are made to look believable.”

Kohli used the team's performance over the last few years to explain that if there were issues within the team, they wouldn't have done as well as they have.

“If the team environment was not good, we wouldn’t have played the way we have in the last two-three years. If that wasn’t there, we wouldn’t have been here in world cricket. Our journey from No. 7 to 1 and getting this consistency in ODIs and the way we’ve been strong in T20s as well. To get from No. 7 to 1, that camaraderie wouldn’t have been there without the respect and understanding," the Indian skipper tried reasoning with the media.

Asked whether they would be any awkwardness in the dressing room owing to all the recent controversies, Kohli replied in the negative. “If I don’t like a person you will see that on my face. I have always praised Rohit, We have had no issues. I don’t know who is benefitting from this. we want to bring India cricket on top. You cant play with that kind of passion if players don’t get along.”

Reports of a rift between Kohli and Rohit have been rife ever since India's exit from World Cup 2019 in the semi-finals.

On their tour of West Indies, they will play two-three T20I games, three ODIs, and two Tests.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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