Shah Rukh Khan and Gautam Gambhir (Source -Twitter/X)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan has admitted that he never felt Gautam Gambhir parted ways with the franchise. Shah Rukh reckoned that even during the phase in which Gambhir was not involved with KKR in any capacity, he always felt that the latter was still a part of the team.
Gambhir, under whom KKR clinched two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, had returned as the team’s head coach before the 2024 edition, which KKR famously won under Shyreas Iyer’s captaincy.
“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,” Shah Rukh said on JioHotstar.
However, Gambhir’s reunion with the team was rather short-lived as he was roped in by the BCCI as India’s head coach following the conclusion of 2024 IPL once Rahul Dravid’s coaching tenure ended.
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa expressed his thoughts on what Gambhir’s presence meant for KKR and how the team struggled in his absence.
“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. 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!”
Also Read: IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane to Lead KKR, Venkatesh Iyer Named Vice-Captain
Former India opener Aakash Chopra also lauded Gambhir for his team-building strategy, which played a critical role in KKR claiming their third title.
“When Gautam Gambhir returned as a mentor, and then built the squad, I felt that four pillars formed the foundation of the team. First was the unwavering faith in Mitchell Starc. Second, the decision to promote Sunil Narine as an opener. The third key element was reuniting with Shreyas Iyer. And last, but equally important, was investing in young talent.”
Meanwhile, KKR have let go of their title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer, replacing him with Ajinkya Rahane, who is set for his second stint with the franchise after 2022. Rahane, who went unsold in the main round in the mega auction in November last year, was bagged by KKR at his base price of INR 1.5 crore in the accelerated round. Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer will be his deputy.
Defending champions KKR will kickstart their 2025 campaign in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22.
Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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