Putting an end to all speculation, Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday made it official that their former captain Gautam Gambhir will be returning to the franchise as mentor.
Gambhir had led the Shah Rukh Khan-co-owned KKR from 2011 to 2017 and played a significant role in their title triumphs in 2012 and 2014.
During the period, the Knight Riders qualified for the IPL playoffs five times (including the two years they won the tournament) and also reached the final of the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2014.
For the past two seasons, he was at the helm of Lucknow Super Giants as their mentor. Lucknow qualified for the playoffs in both seasons but were unable to go the distance.
The franchise has roped in former Australia opener and T20 World Cup-winning coach Justin Langer as their head coach for the season.
A lengthy discussion between KKR chief executive Venky Mysore and Gambhir after the conclusion of the last round-robin match of IPL 2023 at Eden Gardens had set the rumour mills abuzz.
This was followed by a meeting between Gambhir and Shah Rukh at the Bollywood actor’s Mumbai residence but both KKR and Gambhir had so far denied the development.
Gambhir will join head coach Chandrakant Pandit, bowling coach Bharat Arun and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar among others in the support staff.
“I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again,” Gambhir was quoted as saying in a media release, issued by the franchise.
“I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the ‘City of Joy’. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR,” the former India opener said.
KKR’s principal owner Shah Rukh was equally excited about KKR’s prospects.
“Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our ‘captain’ coming back home in a different avatar as a mentor.
“He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR,” Shah Rukh said.
KKR reached the final in 2021 when they lost to Chennai Super Kings but have since finished seventh in 2022 and 2023.
Swap deal
LSG and Rajasthan Royals have entered into a direct swap deal for Avesh Khan and Devdutt Padikkal. Avesh will thus play for the Royals while Padikkal will be part of LSG for IPL 2024.
