Did captain Virat Kohli give green light to Gautam Gambhir's Test recall?

New Delhi: The news of veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir's recall on Tuesday to the Indian Test side took cricket fans by quite a surprise.

According to reports, the Delhi captain underwent a fitness test and is likely to take KL Rahul's place in the squad for the 2nd Test at Eden Gardens.

Gambhir was in sparkling form during the recently concluded Duleep Trophy and has rightly earned his call-up.

Coach Anil Kumble had stated earlier that his aim was to monitor not just squad players but also those on the sidelines.

It was earlier reported that Kumble even met Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh during the Duleep Trophy, asking them to be mentally prepared to represent India again.

In a sport like cricket however, a coach cannot unilaterally take such important decisions. It is only after consulting the captain can he go ahead and take big calls.

(READ: Gautam Gambhir recalled for India's remaining Tests against New Zealand, replaces injured KL Rahul​)

Hence in this case, Virat Kohli would have okayed Gambhir's recall to India's Test side.

This is significant, since the two do not share a very cordial relationship. They have had constant run-ins during their tussles in the Indian Premier League.

When India's squad for New Zealand series was announced, many blamed Kohli for choosing Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan over Gambhir.

Hence the news of the Delhi opener's recall shows Kohli was wrongly accused of playing petty politics in team selection.

This news yet again, reinforces the belief that Virat puts the team's interests before all else and winning is what matters most to him.

Should Rahul fail to prove his fitness, it remains to be seen whether India open with Dhawan or Gambhir with Murali Vijay.