Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed speculation of a rift between Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhirsaying that the two are in regular communication and that there is no problem in their working relationship.Rumors about Kohli and Gambhir’s equation gained momentum on social media after visuals from India’s training sessions during the ODI series against England showed the two not interacting. Speculation has continued ever since Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last year.Ahead of the first ODI at Edgbaston, Kohli was seen batting in the nets while Gambhir watched from a close distance without speaking to him. Kotak, meanwhile, was seen having a conversation with the former India captain, adding to the discussion online.However, Kotak made it clear that there was nothing unusual in the situation and laughed off suggestions that someone needed to act as a bridge between the two.“No (laughs), Virat and Gautam would have spoken about 10 times today. I don’t think he needs a bridge,” Kotak said.He also explained what he and Kohli had discussed during the practice session before the opening ODI.“Basically before going out to bat, he talked to me a few things. Honestly as a batting coach, unless he hears something or spots something big, his bat should not be disturbed and should not be said much. But he asked me some things before his footwork and after the nets, he spoke. [to me].“Besides that, I don’t know where the rumors are coming from, but they are,” Kotak said.Kotak also supported it Rohit Sharmawho struggled for runs in the ongoing ODI series against England.Rohit’s struggles continued in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday, where England won by four wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. The opener managed just 10 runs off 18 balls in the Powerplay despite India reaching 61/1, before being dismissed for 26 off 47 balls while attempting a sweep against Will Jacks.Rohit has not enjoyed the best run in ODIs this year. In eight matches, he scored just one half-century and averaged 30.12. With speculation over whether the selectors could move away from the former India captain ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kotak was asked if Rohit’s place would come under scrutiny after Sunday’s series decider at Lord’s.The batting coach said there was no pressure on the veteran opener.“I don’t think a player like Rohit can feel the pressure,” Kotak said after the Cardiff match.“He’s too good a player to hear that. Yes, he didn’t score in two games. I don’t think it makes any difference. But today he still seemed to have a good innings, but that’s okay. [that he didn’t get a big score].”