Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024 season. The franchise announced the decision on Wednesday, November 22 through a press release. Gambhir will work closely with head coach Chandrakant Pandit in the upcoming season for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Gautam Gambhir played for the Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2011 to the 2017 Indian Premier League season. He led them to two IPL titles, their first in 2012 and the second in 2014. The former cricketer served as the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants last season. However, he has quit the role and has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming edition.
“Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, announced today (Wednesday, November 22) that Gautam Gambhir will return to KKR as “Mentor” and join hands with head coach Chandrakant Pandit,” wrote the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Welcome home, mentor @GautamGambhir! 🤗
Full story: https://t.co/K9wduztfHg#AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/inOX9HFtTT
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 22, 2023
Back to where it all started: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir will be making an emotional return to the Kolkata Knight Riders. He expressed that he is delighted to be back in the Purple and Gold Jersey once again. The former India cricketer will be looking forward to his time with the franchise in the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Speaking on his return, Gautam Gambhir said,
“I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again. I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the city of joy. I am back, I am hungry, I am number 23. Ami KKR.”
The Kolkata Knight Riders failed to qualify for the knockouts of the Indian Premier League 2023 season, earlier this year. They finished seventh on the table with six wins from 14 matches. The franchise was led by Nitish Rana in the season, as Shreyas Iyer was unavailable due to injury.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.