Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been linchpins of the Indian limited-overs team. Even as Virat is the captain when he’s in the team, Rohit, being the vice-captain, takes over the leadership mantle in the former’s absence. In 2018, under Sharma, India won the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka and also the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The duo recently played the 2019 World Cup.

Both did well with Rohit getting five centuries, the most by any batsman in a single World Cup edition. However, after India’s exit following their semi-final defeat versus New Zealand in Manchester, reports emerged that the team has been divided into two figments. From thereon, speculations surrounding a souring relation between Kohli and Rohit have been doing the rounds.

In the meantime, Ravi Shastri, the Indian head coach, called the speculations as ‘absolute nonsense’. Shastri, who’s serving his fourth tenure in the national team, talked about how the team has performed for the last five years and also how the players follow their work ethics.

I know the way they play, says Shastri

“Listen, I have been around the dressing room for the last five years. I have seen how the boys have played and how they have complemented the team and know their work ethics. I feel it is absolute nonsense,” Shastri was quoted as saying in Gulf News.

Shastri said that had there been a rift between the skipper and vice-captain, then Rohit wouldn’t have been able to pile on the centuries in the mega event. Moreover, Shastri talked about the useful partnerships Virat and Rohit have shared over the time being.

“I have been there with them and I know the way they play. If that was the case why would Rohit get five hundreds in the World Cup? Why would Virat do what he is doing? How would they have partnerships together?”

Prior to the West Indies tour, Kohli attended a press conference where he expressed his astonishment over all the talks. “In my opinion it’s baffling to be honest. It’s absolutely ridiculous to read such stuff that comes out. I have been to a few public events and the sentiment is ‘aap log kya khele (you guys played so well)’,” Kohli mentioned.