Through three World Cup titles, two World Test Championship (WTC) finals, and a 12-year Test series winning streak on home soil, Kohli and Sharma, often together, have been integral to every major Indian success of the last 17 years.
Due to their soured political relations, India have not visited Pakistan since 2008 and the rivals play each other only at multi-team events.
India has appointed former South Africa Test fast bowler Morne Morkel as its bowling coach, the country's cricket board said Wednesday.
The Mumbai-born cricketer played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987, before becoming a selector, and later, the coach of the national team. Gaekwad was the coach of the Indian team that finished runners-up at the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy.
A packed calendar across formats awaits Gambhir and the Indian team.
"It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr Gautam Gambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team," Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.
"I'll sign the petition for Jasprit Bumrah to be the eighth wonder of the world right now. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler," Kohli said.
It was not clear when the Indian team would arrive home, with Indian media on Monday reporting they were stuck in Barbados, delayed by Hurricane Beryl.
It was India's first global title since winning the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Former captain Kohli, 35, has now scored just 75 runs in seven innings this tournament at an average of 10.71.
On the brink of elimination, the Men from Down Under are now looking to a limping Bangladesh to pull off an upset against the high-flying Afghans.
The result leaves the Aussies in a serious spot of bother as they will now hope that Bangladesh beat Afghanistan, and do so by a margin of under 62 runs.
Despite the defeat, USA are still well-placed to join India in the Super Eights as they have four points while Pakistan and Canada are on two.
Although both countries are cricket powerhouses, head-to-head matches are rare between the nations.
"Such a big role model for all of us," Rohit said. "Growing up we watched him play and we know what he's achieved personally as a player and what he's done for the team over the years."
At a press conference ahead of India's first game against Ireland in New York, Dravid stated he will not reapply for the role, with the BCCI advertising the role from last month.
"How can I help India win the World Cup - I think it's not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians that will help India win the World Cup," Gambhir said.
India bowlers have been on the receiving end of most sixes, 221.
Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement from all cricket on social media, bringing an end to a professional career that began in the early 2000s.