Virat Kohli has dismissed the rumours circulating on social media about unrest within the Indian dressing room, insisting that the atmosphere under captain Shubman Gill remains “warm and healthy”.Kohli made the comments after producing a match-winning 139 not out in India’s emphatic eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The veteran batter struck his 55th ODI century, while Gill also reached three figures, scoring 110 as India chased down the West Indies’ 296-run target with ease.The second-wicket pair put on 151 runs after Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 32, registering their fifth century partnership in ODIs. Their association was not just about the runs, though. The two were seen sharing several light-hearted moments during their stay at the crease, with the banter and laughter continuing until the closing stages of the match.For Kohli, that on-field camaraderie reflects the mood within the Indian camp as the team builds towards next year’s World Cup in South Africa. He said the presence of senior players and leaders who are relaxed and enjoying themselves helps the rest of the squad feel comfortable as well.“I have known him since the time he came into the team. I’ve always shared a very free-flowing and fun-filled camaraderie with him. At the end of the day, you make a conscious effort. Now he is in a leadership position; I’ve been in that position for a long time. I’m now a senior player, so when senior players or the leaders are in the team are smiling, laughing, all the other players feel like ‘Yeah man, there’s no problem at all’,” Kohli said in a video posted by BCCI.Kohli explained that maintaining a relaxed environment becomes particularly important when the pressure is high. According to him, the players can enjoy themselves away from the action while remaining fully focused once they step onto the field.“Even if it’s a big-pressure scenario, everyone is laughing and having fun. It just relaxes all the other guys because we are not taking pressure. We are showing that we can smile and have a good laugh, but at the same time, being professionals on the field. We hardly even talk about the match itself. Because he knows what to do, and I know what to do.”The victory also added another landmark to Kohli’s already record-filled ODI career. His unbeaten 139 took him to 55 centuries in the format and helped him become the fastest batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs after Sachin Tendulkar.Kohli reached the milestone in 303 innings, while Tendulkar took 377 innings to get there.Despite the latest statistical milestone, Kohli said his approach has always been centred on helping India win rather than chasing individual numbers. He believes longevity at the highest level is possible only when personal achievements remain secondary to the team’s objective.“You can only play for that long if you are looking to make the team win. You can’t play for that long for numbers. Because in need to get numbers, you will end up compromising on the main goal. And you can’t play for long in that manner. I’m lucky to have been in this position for so long, and of course, a big number like that to tick it off along the way to another win is really special,” added Kohli.
