Venky Mysore, the CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders has announced that Gautam Gambhir will be returning to the Purple and Gold. Gambhir’s tenure with the team, was an incredibly successful one, cementing him as one of the most successful captains in the history of the IPL.
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About Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir’s career has been marked by an unwavered sense of determination and a unique leadership style that motivates his teammates to keep fighting till the very end. As a player he has been a vital part of many successful teams and he will aspire to be just as successful in his coaching/mentoring career.
His batting can be defined as a combination of technique, ability and grit. He was incredibly polished and was incredibly clutch when it came to important matches and tricky situations.
As a captain, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to two successful IPL Campaigns. His approach to the game and fierce leadership saw him quickly become a fan favourite. Since his departure from the team, KKR have been unable to replace him and his success with the franchise.
Since his retirement as a Player, Gambhir has ventured into mentoring. He has had experience with Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders, with the former being more recent. He has displayed a strong understanding of the game and its complexities. By the looks of it, he looks to establish a strong team culture and lay down the foundation for his team to be successful.
Gambhir and Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR has been streaky since the mid 2010s. Every season is different and the typical fan walks into a new season not knowing what they will get. The captaincy has shifted a lot over the years and the one thing that they’re lacking is stability.
In the most recent edition of the IPL, Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants. Under his tutelage, the new franchise have had an incredible start to their IPL career, qualifying for the knockouts stage both times. Gambhir’s role in this feat, cannot be put into words easily.
His expertise and tactical acumen was invaluable to Lucknow’s success and was helpful in implementing a culture of fighting till the very end. He also worked hard to develop youngsters and reassure them of their ability.
The qualities that Gambhir has shown through his post-retirement career is exactly what a team in transition like Kolkata Knight Riders will have been looking for.
Gambhir’s Appointment
Gambhir will be joining hands with head coach Chandrakant Pandit and hoping to restore the franchise’s glory. His return to the Purple and Gold brand will be a sentimental one for fans.
On his appointment, Gambhir said that he was incredibly moved to be given the opportunity to come back to where it all started. He is emotional, he is nervous but most of all he is excited. He is excited not just to come back to the franchise, but to the city of joy.
Shah Rukh Khan said that he has always been a part of the team, even if he wasn’t officially appointed. He lovingly, still refers to him as “our captain” and says that he will be back in a different avatar, as a mentor. Together with “Chandu Sir”, he hopes that they can rebuild the culture at KKR and restore the franchise’s glory.
His appointment as the team mentor is an incredibly welcome one. It represents a sense of direction, some much needed guidance and a winning mentality. KKR Fans will hope that the arrival of former skipper brings success.
