Gautam Gambhir, a former India opener, has been named as the Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor ahead of the IPL 2024 season. On Wednesday, KKR CEO Venky Mysore announced the decision. Gambhir will work with head coach Chandrakant Pandit to regain KKR’s glory. Gambhir’s prior association with KKR from 2011 to 2017 was nothing short of spectacular. During this time, the team won the championship twice, qualified for the playoffs five times and reached the Champions League T20 finals in 2014.
When Gambhir stepped down as coach of the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2018 IPL, talk regarding a possible reunion of Gambhir and KKR surfaced. He played a crucial role in the formation of the LSG team in their first season in 2022, as well as the decision-making process of the newcomers.
Welcome home, mentor @GautamGambhir! 🤗
Full story: https://t.co/K9wduztfHg#AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/inOX9HFtTT
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 22, 2023
On his return, Gambhir stated, “I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again. I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the city of joy. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR.”