'IPL is serious cricket, not about Bollywood, after party and stuff': KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir feels IPL is closest to international cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the closest league to international cricket and it is not about glamour which may seem from the outside. The two-time IPL winner made a comeback to KKR as a mentor and wants the players to take it seriously.
 

"I made it very clear on Day 1 that IPL for me, it is serious cricket. It's not about Bollywood, it's not about you, it's not about after party and stuff. It's about going out there and playing competitive cricket and that's the reason why I feel is the toughest league in the world because it is proper cricket," Gambhir said on Star Sports.
 

"It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket field," he added.

Gambhir lauds KKR fans

The former Indian opener praised KKR's fanbase calling them passionate. He said that the franchise should not be known for off-the-field activities but for what the players achieve on the cricket ground.
 

"I think there are very passionate fans. We need to be honest to them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness on their smiles because I've always believed I think the most loyal fans have been fans from Kolkata because they've gone through a lot in the first three years of the IPL," Gambhir said.

ALSO READ: Gautam Gambhir leaves politics for this tournament, thanks PM Modi in a heartfelt post, says ‘..so that I can focus on cricket’
 

"Obviously it was the most high profile team as well. But I've always been a believer that ultimately it's not about glamour. It's about what we do on the cricket field is all that matters and KKR should not be known for off field activities. They should be known for what we deliver on the cricket field," said the 42-year-old. 
 

KKR’s first match of IPL 2024

Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, KKR will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their campaign opener at Eden Gardens on March 23. In the previous season, KKR could not make it to the playoffs. They finished seventh with six wins from 14 games. Iyer’s return to the side will also bolster the squad. 
 

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