Current Team India head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has shared a deep and special bond with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Bollywood superstar and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan recently shared his sentiments about Gambhir in an emotional statement.
While speaking on JioHotstar, Shah Rukh Khan mentioned that, in his view, Gautam Gambhir never truly left KKR. Gambhir captained the team from 2011 to 2017 before joining the Delhi Capitals.
However, the former cricketer made his return to KKR as a mentor for the IPL 2024 season and once again led them to a championship victory. Shah Rukh Khan described Gambhir’s return as a ‘grand homecoming.’
“I never thought Gautam Gambhir left us. There has always been a lovely relationship with Gautam over the years. There are a few players with whom friendships remain strong, and Gautam Gambhir is one of them. For him, it was a big homecoming,” he said.
During the same discussion, former India and KKR player Robin Uthappa highlighted KKR’s struggles following Gambhir’s departure. He mentioned that the team lacked direction and eventually found itself in a state of panic.
“When Gautam was no longer with KKR, it felt like—where are the pieces going to settle? Since his exit, there was a slight loss of direction. I think, at one point, panic set in. From the outside, you could sense that things weren’t as smooth as they seemed.”
“You always expect KKR to perform at a high level, and when the performances didn’t match the team’s aura, it became evident that something had to change,” he reflected.
Uthappa also shared his reaction upon learning about Gambhir’s return to KKR as a mentor before the IPL 2024 season.
“As soon as I heard that Gautam Gambhir was coming back, I remember tweeting that the best thing to happen to KKR since Gautam Gambhir leaving, was Gautam Gambhir coming back!,” he added.
Gautam Gambhir’s influence on KKR
Gautam Gambhir joined KKR in the 2011 season and immediately took over as captain. Just a year later, in 2012, he led the team to their first-ever IPL title. KKR reclaimed their success in 2014, securing their second championship under Gambhir’s leadership, establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s most successful teams.
Following his departure after the 2017 season, the team faced challenges. However, his return in 2024 as a mentor marked a turning point. KKR went on to defeat SunRisers Hyderabad in the final, clinching their third IPL title—the second most by any team, behind CSK and MI.
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