I and Kohli are good friends on and off the field: Gambhir

Out-of-favour India opener Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday said both he and current India Test captain Virat Kohli are aggressive individuals who are passionate about cricket.

Gambhir said his characteristics are similar to Kohli and both of them share a common goal, i.e to give their best for their respective teams on the field.

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"When you are playing against an opposition you want to go out there and win a game and for that you have to be aggressive. As a leader you want your team to play as you are. Both of us are aggressive and passionate individuals and want to do well for our respective teams," Gambhir said.

"Even if we have difference of opinion there is nothing wrong in it. We both have same ambition that is to make our country proud and try to win each and every game as possible and try to contribute in the team's success. There is nothing personal about it.

"This is what professional people do. We are pretty good friends on and off the field," he told NDTV.

Gambhir and Kohli had a verbal duel during the 2013 IPL match between their respective teams -- Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Bangalore Challengers.

Also this year, Gambhir had apparently kicked a chair during the celebration of KKR's victory over Kohli's RCB and was later fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct.

In the wake of the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, Gambhir said he is completely against playing the troubled neighbouring country until and unless they stop killing innocent Indians across the border.

"Not at all. I cannot think about playing Pakistan. Life of people of this country is far more important than any sports or any other thing," the left-handed opener said.

"I am talking as an Indian and not as as a cricketer. I believe we should not have any ties or relationship with Pakistan. For me it is very important to protect out people," Gambhir concluded. 

IMAGE: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir were involved in an altercation during 2011 IPL.

Photograph: BCCI.