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Gautam Gambhir, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, recalled an incident when he publicly apologised to Brendon McCullum in front of the entire team. Years after that IPL incident, Gautam Gambhir clarified the motive behind his apology to McCullum.
Back in 2012, KKR suffered a big blow in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final when Lakshmipathy Balaji sustained a hamstring injury prior to the title match against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Balaji's injury disrupted KKR's star-studded lineup, resulting in Brendon McCullum being dropped from the playing XI for the final against CSK. Gambhir's decision to replace Balaji with Brett Lee in the lineup led to Manvinder Bisla partnering with Gambhir as the opener to adhere to the overseas player quota. Despite these changes, the KKR emerged victorious against CSK, clinching the IPL 2012 title.
Gambhir reveals reason behind apologising to McCullum
Gambhir, in a video shared on Instagram, discussed his decision to openly apologise to Brendon McCullum, highlighting his courage in doing so. Gambhir conveyed remorse for omitting McCullum from the team, emphasizing that the decision stemmed from strategic considerations rather than McCullum's performance.
“Before leaving for that final at Chepauk, I actually said sorry to Brendon McCullum in front of the entire team. I said ‘I am really really sorry I had to drop you. The reason is not your performance, the reason is our combination.’ No one wanted to do that. But I had the courage to apologize to him in front of the whole team. Nothing wrong in apologizing,” Gambhir said.
Manvinder Bisla delivered an outstanding performance, smashing 89 runs off 48 balls, steering the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory as they chased down a formidable target of 191 runs in just 19.4 overs. Bisla's remarkable innings earned him the Player of the Match award, marking a historic moment as the Knight Riders clinched their inaugural title.
I would have had that guilt: Gambhir
The former India skipper stressed the significance of transparent and efficient communication within a team. The ex-Indian opener recognized that though such discussions might feel uneasy, they are crucial for nurturing leadership skills.
“Had I not apologised in front of the entire team, somewhere deep inside my heart, I would have had that guilt that I have not communicated well enough. Leadership is not only about taking appreciation or shutting yourself off or taking credit. It’s about doing this stuff as well. Sometimes it’s awkward but that’s how you grow as a leader,” Gambhir concluded.
Gambhir led KKR to two IPL titles back in 2012 and 2014. His recent appointment as the mentor for KKR in the forthcoming IPL 2024 season is expected to inject fresh vigor into the team's performance. Gambhir participated in 154 IPL matches, amassing 4218 runs at an impressive T20 average of 31.01, which includes 36 half-centuries, boasting a notable strike rate of 123.91. In 2018, the left-handed batsman transferred to the Delhi Capitals and subsequently retired from all formats of cricket later that year. KKR's playoff aspirations have suffered setbacks in the last two seasons following their appearance in the 2021 final. Despite the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana, the team managed six wins and eight losses each, culminating in a seventh-place finish during their stint.
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