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The interim captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Nitish Rana expressed his delight at the return of Gautam Gambhir as the mentor for the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Rana received praise for his leadership in the absence of the injured Shreyas Iyer in 2022. He said Gambhir was his childhood hero and it's a dream come true moment for him to join hands with the former captain who will work closely with the head coach Chandrakant Pandit.
Gambhir concluded his two-year association with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on November 22, parting ways with the KL Rahul-led side. During his time with Lucknow, he worked alongside head coach Andy Flower, contributing to the team's successful playoff runs in both seasons.
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The co-owner of KKR, Shah Rukh Khan extended a warm welcome to Gambhir over his return to the team. He said that the former captain is coming back in a 'different avatar'.
Gambhir expressed his excitement and shared an emotional statement along with a photo of himself in the KKR jersey on social media.
Rana is expected to play a crucial role in KKR in the upcoming IPL 2024. He expressed his eagerness to learn and grow from one of the most influential captains in the early history of the IPL.
"As a kid watching cricket, I never imagined I'd one day share the field and wear the same colours as my idol, @GautamGambhir bhai. Now, having him as our mentor at @KKRiders is nothing short of a dream. His leadership led to glory, and I can't wait to learn and grow under his guidance. Here's to the beginning of an incredible journey!", Rana said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Under Gambhir's leadership, KKR secured their inaugural IPL title in 2012, a triumph that held both symbolic and substantial significance for a team that had struggled in the initial three seasons of the IPL.
In 2012, Gambhir's leadership and strategic skills were evident as he brought together a diverse team into a cohesive unit. Despite a tough start, KKR found their rhythm, winning seven consecutive matches to reach the playoffs. Gambhir not only excelled as a strategist but also as a prolific run-scorer, amassing 590 runs with six half-centuries. This showcased his effectiveness as both a leader and a key batsman.
KKR won the nail-biting final against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), marking the beginning of a new era for the team.
In 2014, Gambhir played a crucial role in guiding KKR to success. Despite facing personal challenges with low scores at the start of the season, he bounced back as a true fighter, making important contributions to the team's midseason turnaround. Under his captaincy, KKR's impressive seven-match winning streak ensured their place in the playoffs. The final against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) showcased his leadership as KKR secured the trophy for the second time under his guidance.
Throughout his tenure with KKR, he became known for his aggressive and attacking style of captaincy. Unafraid to make bold decisions, whether it was setting unconventional fields or promoting young talent, he left a lasting mark on the team.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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