India's newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday declared that his much talked about relationship with batting mainstay Virat Kohli "is between the two of us and not for TRPs".
History, particularly in the Indian Premier League has shown that Gambhir and Kohli had not been the best of friends with both players getting into multiple confrontations.
However, the duo will now be working together starting with the T20 and ODI tour of Sri Lanka from July 27.
"My relationship with Virat Kohli is between the two of us and not for TRP," Gambhir said.
What kind of a relationship I share with Virat Kohli... I think it's between two mature individuals," Gambhir added.
In the context of Kohli, Gambhir added, "On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own jersey and come back to a winning dressing room.
"But at the moment, we're representing India, representing 140 crore Indians and I'm sure we're going to be on the same page and try and make India proud."
Kohli, who recently announced retirement from the T20 International format, is part of India's ODI squad against the island nation and ahead of that, the former India skipper has apparently communicated to the BCCI that he's ready to begin this new phase with a clean slate.
Gambhir said the two share a very good relationship (with him) off the field.
"...and will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public, what kind of a relationship... I think it's between two individuals. I've had a lot of chats with him (Kohli)... we've shared messages.
"Sometimes, just because we want headlines, it's not important. Right now, the most important thing is we both are going to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that's our job."
With the departure of seniors Rohit Sharma and Kohli from the T20 International scene, workload management of someone like Jasprit Bumrah assumes greater significance, Gambhir said.
Both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from the shortest format after India's title triumph in the T20 World Cup last month.
"Workload for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important.
"Now that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play only two formats, I expect them to be available for most games," Gambhir said.
