Virat Kohli skips team celebration in Ranchi; Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir seen in discussion

Team India kicked off the three-match ODI series against South Africa with a 17-run victory at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. Following the victory, several Indian players gathered to celebrate in the team hotel, but ace batter Virat Kohli refused to join his teammates.

Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century during the series opener. He made 135 runs off 120 balls, while Rohit Sharma contributed 57 off 51. The Men in Blue posted a total of 349/8 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets, while Harshit Rana chipped in with three more, as the visitors were bowled out for 332 runs.

Virat Kohli Skips Team Celebration Despite Repeated Calls

KL Rahul, who captained India in Shubman Gill’s absence, celebrated the team’s win by cutting a cake after the squad returned to their hotel in Ranchi. The video went viral across social media platforms.

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While several players gathered around Rahul for the small celebration, Virat Kohli did not join in. He walked into the lobby while the cake-cutting was underway but politely declined the repeated calls asking him to participate, heading straight to the elevator instead.

At the same time, Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir were seen standing nearby, engaged in yet another serious conversation. They had also shared an animated chat earlier in the dressing room.

Gautam Gambhir seen talking with Rohit Sharma at the team hotel while the Indian team was celebrating their victory by cutting a cake.🇮🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/iw6ld3PCv4

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 1, 2025

Virat Kohli Named Player of the Match for Brilliant Batting Display

India scored 349 runs for eight wickets after being asked to bat first. Virat Kohli smashed 135 off 120 deliveries with 11 fours and seven sixes. He showed an aggressive approach from the very start. The batter also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner for the most ODI hundreds against South Africa.

South Africa collapsed to 11/3 inside the powerplay. However, the middle-order batters showed fight against the Indian bowling attack. Matthew Breetzke top-scored with 72, while Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch fought hard with fifties. The visitors were bowled out for 332 in 49.2 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav was the best bowler for India with four wickets. Virat was named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock with the bat.

Gautam Gambhir’s Equation With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Weakens

According to a report from Dainik Jagran, Gautam Gambhir’s relationship with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is not as strong as it once was, although India’s T20I and Test environments are functioning smoothly.

Discussions about the future of the two senior batters might be held during the ODI leg of the series, possibly in Raipur or Visakhapatnam. The report added that the communication gap has grown enough to warrant a formal meeting.

“The relations between Gautam Gambhir and senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma aren’t as good as they should be, and there could be a meeting regarding the future of the two players,” Jagran quoted a BCCI source as saying.

Also read: Virat Kohli indirectly REJECTS BCCI’s demand to play domestic cricket