Following Kolkata Knight Riders' dominant victory in the IPL 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), former KKR captain Nitish Rana shed light on the unwavering determination instilled by mentor Gautam Gambhir. Remembering a pre-season conversation with Gambhir, Rana shared details of a text message he sent and the mentor's inspiring reply. This revelation comes after KKR secured their third IPL title with a resounding eight-wicket win over SRH. Needing a mere 114 runs to chase, KKR completely outplayed SRH, who were dismissed for a paltry 113 – the lowest score in an IPL final. The win echoed the dominant brand of cricket KKR displayed throughout the season.
Rana Recalls Gambhir's Motivational Reply After KKR Announced Mentorship
In a post-match interview, Nitish Rana shared a heartwarming anecdote about Gautam Gambhir's influence as KKR's mentor. Rana revealed he had messaged Gambhir upon hearing about his appointment, offering congratulations. He further emphasised how much Gambhir's response to that message resonated with him, calling it unforgettable.
"I want to share one short story that when GG bhaiya (Gambhir) was named the mentor, I sent him a long message as I was really happy. But he replied saying, 'Thank you but I would be happy if we stand at the podium with the trophy in our hands'. Today is that day and I will never forget that message," Rana told broadcasters after KKR's title triumph.
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Gambhir, the man behind KKR's success in IPL 2024
Gautam Gambhir's return to the Kolkata Knight Riders, this time as a mentor, appears to have had an instant and positive impact. The team, his ‘second home’ as some called it, displayed the qualities of champions throughout the season. They not only finished atop the points table in the league stage, but also remained undefeated in the playoffs, a testament to their consistent dominance. This resurgence resonated with Gambhir's past success with the team. His favourites Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, thrived under his guidance. Both West Indian stars, who had faced challenges in recent years, seemingly repaid the faith he placed in them with stellar performances.
Ultimately, Shreyas Iyer etched his name in history by becoming only the second captain after Gambhir himself to lead KKR to an IPL title. He also joined an elite group of Indian captains, including MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya, to have lifted the coveted trophy. This victory signifies not only KKR's return to the top, but also the potential influence Gambhir's presence had on the team's mindset and winning spirit.
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