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Xtra Time Web Desk: In a dramatic turn of events, former Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, who were embroiled in a heated spat during an IPL 2023 match in Lucknow, have reconciled. Their once-feisty on-field relationship saw a thaw this season as the two embraced multiple times during IPL 2024, signaling a fresh start.

The cricketing world was abuzz with excitement as Gautam Gambhir's much-anticipated appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team was officially confirmed on Tuesday. The former opener steps into the role, replacing Rahul Dravid, and is set to join the team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Gambhir’s appointment following a unanimous recommendation from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik. Gambhir, along with former India batter WV Raman, were the only candidates interviewed for the position.

Notably, the BCCI did not consult Virat Kohli before making Gambhir's appointment public. Kohli, who has retired from T20Is and is no longer part of the T20I setup, was absent from the decision-making process. "There is enough time for the two to have conversations over the table. But it was important for the BCCI to look at the big picture with many youngsters likely to feature in the coming years," a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, a leading candidate for India's next T20I captain, was kept in the loop regarding Gambhir's appointment. This move signals a strategic shift as India prepares for a new era in T20 cricket, with many young talents expected to emerge.

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India captain Rohit Sharma, who also retired from T20Is alongside Kohli after the T20 World Cup, reportedly expressed a preference for Rahul Dravid to continue as head coach. Both Sharma and Kohli have requested extended breaks from the BCCI, potentially missing Gambhir's debut series against Sri Lanka.

India's tour of Sri Lanka, commencing on July 28, includes three T20Is and three ODIs. The series will be a significant milestone for Gambhir as he begins his tenure as the youngest ever head coach of the Indian cricket team.