IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata and KKR’s favourite son, returns to his den
IPL2024: Gautam Gambhir is back with the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the championship in 2012 and 2014 under his captaincy.
In Short
In IPL 2024, Gautam Gambhir is back to mentor the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Gambhir led KKR as captain from 2011 until 2017.
Gambhir served as the LSG's mentor from 2022 to 2023.
Let's face it: for the first three seasons, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lacked a distinct identity. The Men in God and Purple were in complete disarray, save for Shah Rukh Khan's rise to fame and Brendon McCullum's valiant comeback in 2008. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), KKR had difficulty in moving up the points ladder, let alone winning championships.
Despite being expected to lead the Knight Riders, Sourav Ganguly was unable to improve the team's performance. In his role as head coach, John Buchanan was not well received. It was clear that the Knights really needed a total makeover. Something had to be done after they missed out on the playoffs for three seasons.
Gambhir turns the wheels
Gautam Gambhir cost KKR 2.4 million dollars in 2011. The player who went under the hammer early in the auction did not cause KKR to die in suspense. The Knight Riders never looked back after what proved to be a brilliant move. Gambhir led the team to their first-ever IPL playoffs in that season, which signalled the start of a new adventure.
In 2012, the Knight Riders accomplished an unprecedented feat by winning the IPL for the first time. They beat MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chepauk, which at the time was considered an easier achievement than climbing a mountain, therefore it was ruled impossible.
Two seasons later, at Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, KKR defeated the Kings XI Punjab, now known as Punjab Kings, in a thrilling championship match. Wriddhiman Saha of Kolkata struck a century, but Manish Pandey of KKR stole the show as the Knights claimed their second championship.
The Kolkata Knight Riders gained notoriety as a formidable team between 2011 and 2014, particularly under Gambhir's direction. Before each new edition began, KKR has established itself as one of the favourites to win the championship.
Gambhir chose to leave KKR in 2018, just as it appeared like his IPL career may come to an end there. He then joined the Delhi Daredevils. He declared his retirement from professional cricket in the same season.
The captains of the Knights during the following six seasons have been Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, and Shreyas Iyer. In the 2021 edition, Morgan assisted them in finishing as runners-up, although his individual performances fell short of expectations.
Gambhir comes back home
It was something that very few would have predicted. Prior to the 2024 edition, Gambhir rejoined the Knight Riders on Wednesday, November 22. As a tutor, not as a player. The tiger has returned to its den. Since he is the only captain to have captained KKR to an IPL championship, Gambhir has been missed throughout the past six seasons.
Although Gambhir participated in the first three seasons of the IPL with the Delhi franchise, it was his time with the Knight Riders that marked the pinnacle of his remarkable career. This was evident in his remarks upon returning to the Knights following a six-year absence.
Few things affect me emotionally because I am not an emotional person. However, this isn't like that. This is when it all began again commenced. When I consider putting on that purple and gold jersey once more, a knot forms in my throat and a burning sensation fills my heart, said Gambhir.
In the IPL, Gambhir has been a successful mentor after the Lucknow Super Giants made it to the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. It will be interesting to see if he can now weave magic in the same manner as when he was a Knights player.
Time for Gautam Gambhir
As a captain, Gambhir had great influence and was a constant energy on the pitch. Gambhir was the one who introduced Sunil Narine, who was not well-known in 2012. After eleven years, Narine has established herself as a vital component of the Knights.
Gambhir fostered the growth of Andre Russell. During that time, KKR was able to survive storms because to his ability as a captain. Despite the best efforts of Karthik, Shreyas, Morgan, and Rana, the team hasn't been the same since he left.
The return of Gambhir is anticipated to give the Knights fresh vitality as they enter the upcoming season, despite their failure in the IPL 2023. During games at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, cries of "Gauti, Gauti" will recur everytime the camera pans to Gambhir. When their very own "Goutam Dada" appears at the legendary location, Kolkata will be cheering him on.
Gautam Gambhir's journey at KKR is very different. Expectations will be raised, and Gambhir needs to lead the Knights back to their previous level of performance as captain.
This is a very important article
Click here:-
Comments