"Coach, captain need to align": Harbhajan Singh hopeful of 'rift' between Rohit, Gambhir getting sorted

New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh is hopeful that the reported 'rift' in the Indian team gets sorted out before next month's Champions Trophy.

India has hit rock bottom on the back of successive setbacks in Test format. Before hosting New Zealand, India's path to the World Test Championship final looked crystal clear.

But out of the blue, New Zealand orchestrated a historic series whitewash in the subcontinent, which left India's road to the WTC final an intricate affair. After ending up on the wrong side of a 3-0 series defeat, India had to defy the odds in Australia with a series win.

Despite the historic win in the opening game at Perth, India's hopes of a series win faded with each passing game, and the five-matchseries ended with Australia reclaiming the BGT after 10 years with a 3-1 series win.

During the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, various reports flooded social media, suggesting a rift between skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

"The team didn't play to its potential against Australia and New Zealand. The most important thing is that the team should be united, which has looked distorted (in Australia). There are a lot of talks about the coach and the possible differences between the coach and the team. So, I hope the matter gets sorted out. The coach and captain need to align. Hopefully, they will get together, and do well and lead the team to victory," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

India has yet to announce the squad for the coveted tournament. Before beginning the campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh, India will play a three-match ODI series against England.

The three-match series will kick off on February 6 at the VCA Stadium, Maharashtra. The second ODI will be played on February 9 at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. The three-match affair will conclude on February 12 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)