(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have planned a homecoming for Gautam Gambhir, roping him as the team mentor ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Gambhir announced his resignation from the position of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor on Wednesday morning, bringing and end to his two-year-long tenure with the franchise.
“As I announce the end of my impeccable journey with Lucknow Super
Giants, I am filled with love and immense gratitude towards all the
players, coaches, support staff and every individual who has made this
journey memorable. I would like to thank Dr. Sanjiv Goenka for his
inspiring leadership while creating this remarkable franchise and for
his tremendous support to all my endeavours. I’m sure that the team will
do wonders in the future and will make every LSG fan proud. All the
very best LSG brigade!” Gambhir wrote in a post he shared on social media.
While the rumour mill was already abuzz with the news of Gambhir and KKR again shaking the hands, the Kolkata-based team confirmed their former captain’s appointment as the mentor for IPL 2024 soon after his goodbye post from the LSG.
On his return to the KKR, Gambhir expressed his delight on getting to come back to the City of Joy, albeit in a different capacity.
“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,” Gambhir said as quoted in the press release issued by KKR.
Although KKR havs struggled to qualify for the playoffs in the last few IPL seasons, it was under Gambhir’s captaincy when the team witnessed its rise. Gambhir joined KKR in 2011 and won the side two titles in his captaincy tenure that lasted till 2017 before the 42-year-old moved to Delhi Capitals, erstwhile Delhi Daredevils.
After bringing curtains down on his playing career in 2018, Gambhir joined LSG as the mentor, serving for them from 2022 to 2023, playing a vital role to help the team reach the playoffs in both the seasons.