Former India opener Gautam Gambhir was named because the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders forward of IPL 2024. KKR CEO Venky Mysore introduced the choice on Wednesday. Gambhir will work with head coach Chandrakant Pandit to deliver again the glory of KKR. Gambhir’s earlier affiliation with KKR from 2011-17 was nothing wanting historic. During this era, the group gained the title twice, certified for the playoffs 5 instances, and reached the finals of the Champions League T20 in 2014.
Gautam Gambhir(AFP)
The speculations a couple of attainable reunion of Gambhir and KKR have been ripe when the previous opener give up because the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants after the final IPL. He performed an important function within the formation of the LSG squad of their maiden season in 2022 and has been pivotal within the decision-making technique of the newcomers.
Speaking on his return, Gambhir stated he would have a lump in his throat and hearth in his coronary heart whereas carrying the purple and gold jersey once more. “I’m not an emotional individual and never many issues transfer me. But that is completely different. This is again to the place it began. Today, there’s a lump in my throat and hearth in my coronary heart as I take into consideration slipping into that purple and gold jersey as soon as once more. I’m not solely coming again to KKR however I’m coming again to town of pleasure. I’m again. I’m hungry. I’m quantity 23. Ami KKR,” he said.
Welcoming Gambhir back to KKR, co-owner Shah Rukh Khan said – “Gautam has all the time been a part of the household and that is our Captain coming again dwelling in a distinct avatar as a “Mentor”. He was sorely missed and now all of us look ahead to Chandu Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR.”
Gambhir represented KKR 122 times – the joint second-most along with Yusuf Pathan. He is also the only KKR batter to have scored more than 3000 runs for the franchises. Gambhir amassed 3345 runs at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 124. He was instrumental in building the core of the Kolkata-based franchise. It was under his leadership that KKR roped in Sunil Narine and Andre Russell – two relatively unknown West Indies cricketers at that time who would go on to become the franchise’s two most successful overseas recruits.
Narine and Russell continue to be a part of the KKR set-up. The two-time champions, however, did not have the best of seasons last year. They finished seventh in the points table with six wins in eight matches but this year, they will have the get the services of Shreyas Iyer back. Their regular captain was ruled out of the entire last season due to a back injury.
Catch all the Latest cricket news, and Live score related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
