Virat Kohli lit up Ranchi with a match-winning 135 in the first ODI against South Africa. It was his 52nd ODI hundred, and it earned him the Player of the Match award. His century also pushed him past Sachin Tendulkar for most tons in a single format and took his international tally to 83. India’s win was built almost fully on his knock.
Inside the dressing room, the mood looked warm. Gautam Gambhir and the support staff gave Kohli a standing ovation. Gambhir even walked up and hugged him. For many fans, it felt like a fresh start between two big personalities who have not always shared the smoothest equation.
But a few hours later, a short clip changed the tone online. Kohli was seen walking toward the dressing room while looking at his phone. He passed Gambhir without eye contact. The moment lasted only a second, yet it was enough to trigger loud chatter on social media.
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Kohli completely ignored Gambhir 😭pic.twitter.com/gaSKhatUOz
— Suprvirat (@Mostlykohli) December 1, 2025
The video quickly brought back old debates about a rift between Kohli and Gambhir. Their past on-field clashes are well known, and fans were ready to draw conclusions again. Many ignored the fact that the two had already shared a warm dressing room celebration the same day.
Some users went further, blaming Gambhir for India’s recent Test slump and even for Kohli’s Test retirement earlier this year. This blame game has grown louder after India’s 0-2 Test series loss to South Africa. Gambhir was asked tough questions after the defeat. He said he would continue as head coach unless the BCCI decided otherwise.
Kohli’s record-breaking hundred also came with another milestone. He and Rohit Sharma completed 392 matches together, making them India’s longest-playing pair in international cricket. Their partnership at the top level remains one of India’s biggest strengths.
Many former players and journalists have urged fans to be calmer while judging the Kohli-Gambhir dynamic. They believe such quick clips never reveal the full picture. The day itself showed both sides, a warm embrace and an awkward moment. It is hard to know which one tells the real story.
For now, India will hope their on-field performance stays stronger than the noise around it. Kohli’s form looks as good as ever. Gambhir, on the other hand, is under pressure but remains committed to his role. The team moves to the next ODI with confidence, even as the off-field buzz refuses to settle.