Recent speculation of a rift between Rishabh Pant and Gautam Gambhir has been put to rest following a heartwarming display of camaraderie at Lord's Cricket Ground. A video circulating online shows Pant and Gambhir sharing a lighthearted moment in the dressing room during the recent Test match against England, effectively quashing rumors of any discord.
The rumors initially surfaced after the Headingley Test between India and England. Following the match, Gambhir, the head coach, responded to a question about Pant's centuries by mentioning the other centurions in the match as well. Some fans interpreted this as Gambhir slighting Pant's achievement, leading to speculation about a rift.
Adding fuel to the fire, an old anecdote from Ajay Jadeja resurfaced, recalling a time when Gambhir, as captain, debated Pant's inclusion in the Delhi squad. However, Jadeja clarified that his intention was to highlight Pant's self-assurance, recalling Pant's confident statement that he would be called upon when needed.
Despite the rumors, there have been indications of a positive relationship between Gambhir and Pant. Gambhir has previously praised Pant's "flair and audacity," particularly during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Furthermore, Pant made his first-class debut under Gambhir's captaincy in the 2015 Ranji Trophy season, and his most successful IPL season in 2018 also occurred while Gambhir was captain. When Shubman Gill was the frontrunner for Test captaincy after Kohli followed Rohit into retirement, Pant was named vice-captain, backed by selectors and the Gambhir-led team management.
The recent video from Lord's appears to have finally put the rumors to rest. In the video, Pant and Gambhir are seen sharing a genuine laugh, dispelling any notion of animosity between them. The incident occurred before Pant went out to bat on the second day of the Test, despite having sustained a hand injury the previous day.
The Pant-Gambhir dynamic has been a topic of discussion amongst cricket fans, with some observers noting Gambhir's serious demeanor and focus on team performance. Some have pointed out that Gambhir's intention is often to highlight the collective effort of the team rather than singling out individual achievements.
Beyond the field, both Dhoni and Gambhir attended Rishabh Pant's sister's wedding. Pictures of Dhoni and Gambhir together at the wedding went viral on social media.
With the viral video of Pant and Gambhir laughing together, the perceived rift seems to be a thing of the past.