Navjot Singh Sidhu & Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)
Kolkata Knight Riders have become the first team to qualify for the playoffs of the ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024. Defeating Mumbai Indians in the 60th game of the tournament on Saturday, May 11, KKR registered their ninth win of the season in 12 matches, and sitting atop the standings, they qualified for the knockouts.
It is worth noting that KKR finished seventh two seasons in a row in 2022 and 2023, but with the return of Shreyas Iyer as their skipper and the franchise’s legend Gautam Gambhir making a return as the side’s skipper, things have been smooth for the two-time champions.
Witnessing the turnaround, former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu came forward and heaped praise on Gautam Gambhir, and opined that as the situation starts getting tough, Gambhir improves even further.
“I have seen Gautam Gambhir gets inspired when the situation gets tough, he starts advising and that’s how it should be. Anybody can be a pilot when the sea is calm but you only learn when in adverse situations,” Sidhu told Star Sports.
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Furthermore, Sidhu talked about KKR’s secret to success has been the performance of their bowlers, and how five of KKR’s bowlers have 10 wickets each with the exception of Vaibhav Arora who has nine wickets.
“KKR is the only team with five bowlers who have taken 10 wickets each and the sixth has taken 9 wickets. Show me a team that has six bowlers who have 60 wickets between them,” Sidhu said.
KKR take on GT next
Speaking of Kolkata Knight Riders’ upcoming assignments, after making it to the playoffs of the tournament, the two-time champions will be taking on Gujarat Titans next. Both sides will lock horns in the 63rd game of the tournament at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday, May 13.
GT will be coming into the game after a brilliant win against Chennai Super Kings in their previous game, and the Shubman Gill-led side will hope to keep up their performances and register yet another win.