Gautam Gambhir Returns To KKR; Calls It ‘A Very Successful Franchise’

For Gautam Gambhir, it’s a homecoming of a kind, if not greater as he return to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). There is much more to his reunion with the Kolkata Knight Riders than just a former captain serving as a mentor. Gambhir’s perspective extends beyond the IPL and KKR. He has frequently stated that he has a unique connection to Kolkata, the city, and its residents. That was evident in his opening remarks following his Friday afternoon attendance at the KKR practice at Eden Gardens.

KKR: “a successful and proud” franchise

Gambhir was pretty clear about his feelings for the team, which he described as “a successful and proud” franchise. “We start this season from today. Whether it’s physically, mentally skill-wise, give everything possible. It’s a very, very proud and successful franchise.”

“You guys are representing a very successful franchise. Make sure you train that way, you play that way and you carry that attitude around the field. That is going to be very, very important. And one thing I absolutely believe in is giving all the freedom to the players. That is something which is very, very important,” said Gambhir in a video posted by KKR on its social media handles.

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KKR and Gautam Gambhir

With his return to KKR, Gambhir has every right to be emotional. When he joined the team 13 years ago as their new captain, things were far from ideal. He took Sourav Ganguly’s place as the city’s all-time favorite as captain, and on his second try, he won the IPL. A few years later, in 2014, he did the same by handing KKR their second IPL victory. Under Gambhir’s direction, KKR advanced to the Champions League final as well.

In addition to having a significant impact on the outcome, he helped form the team’s core group by selecting players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who will continue to be the cornerstones of KKR as the IPL enters its 17th season.

There won’t be any discrimination within the team, the former India opener made very clear. Each and every player, novice or star on the international scene, will receive the same treatment.

“So people who played with me will know one thing about me, that everyone in this group will be treated equally. There’s no senior junior. There is no domestic, or international. So we have got one mission and that is to win this IPL.”