Gautam Gambhir, the most successful captain in Kolkata Knight Riders‘ history, has been lauded for his impact as team mentor in the IPL 2024 season. Gambhir’s appointment as mentor prior to the season has proved to be a significant boost for KKR, with players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell benefiting from his guidance.
Under Gambhir’s mentorship, Narine, who had been underperforming in previous seasons, has found a new lease on life. The veteran has been opening the batting for KKR and has emerged as their highest run-scorer in the season so far. With 276 runs in six matches, including a fifty and a century, Narine has been a crucial player for KKR’s campaign.
Similarly, Russell’s contributions in the middle order have been pivotal for KKR. The all-rounder has scored 128 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 200.00, providing the team with much-needed firepower.
In a recent conversation with Cyrus Broacha, Gambhir shared an anecdote about KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, praising the Bollywood superstar for his support during a difficult period. Gambhir revealed that there was a time when he considered dropping himself from the playing XI due to poor form, but Shah Rukh backed him to continue playing, showing immense faith in his decision-making.
Gautam Gambhir talks about Shah Rukh Khan
“It wasn’t a patch, I couldn’t even score a run! He is the best owner I have worked with. And the reason is not because I am now, or was earlier, part of KKR. I don’t think that in seven years of my captaincy, we’ve had a cricketing conversation for seven minutes, except for that patch which I was going through. At that time also, we had this conversation because I was actually on the verge of dropping myself,” he said.
“The only thing he told me was that, till you are here–and you will be here till you want to be here–you won’t be dropping yourself. I thought as a leader, first and foremost I should have the courage to be a part of the playing 11, I should deserve to be a part of the playing 11. I told him that, and that’s the only conversation I have had in seven years with him when it came to cricket. He told me you will not drop yourself, whatever happens, you will play all the games. And then things turned around.”So, imagine someone as an owner, who himself has been such a big, great achiever not even talking about cricket, asking you about a single thing about your decision making… He trusted your decision making. I am not saying I have made all the right decisions in those seven years, but he never questioned because that’s the relationship, the trust he had in me,” he further added.
Shah Rukh’s unwavering support and trust in Gambhir’s abilities as a leader have been instrumental in shaping KKR’s success over the years. As co-owner of the franchise, Shah Rukh has been a constant presence during KKR’s matches in IPL 2024, often seen cheering for the team alongside his daughter Suhana.
KKR, under the leadership of Gambhir and the ownership of Shah Rukh, Juhi Chawla, and Jay Mehta, have been a formidable force in the IPL, winning two titles in 2012 and 2014. In IPL 2024, KKR continues to be a strong contender, with Gambhir’s mentorship playing a crucial role in their success so far.
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