The inflated excitement of the KKR fans have been deflated in a few days’ time as there will be no homecoming to KKR for Gautam Gambhir. The former KKR skipper will continue in his role as a mentor for LSG and Global mentor for the Super Giants’ multiple T20 franchises.
Last week, there were strong rumors that KKR had contacted Gambhir for a return to the franchises to which he brought their two IPL trophies till date. Reports suggested that Gambhir was unhappy with LSG looking to sign former Australia head coach Justin Langer as their new head coach, replacing Andy Flower whose contract had expired after IPL 2023 and the franchise didn’t renew with Flower.
No homecoming to KKR for Gautam Gambhir
Amid the rumors of Langer signing with LSG, the rumors of Gambhir’s willingness to return to KKR and leave LSG spread like wildfire.
However, now all those hopes of KKR fans to welcome back their hero have diminished as, after LSG announced Langer as their new coach, sources say that Gautam Gambhir will stay at LSG.
“As of now, Gautam Gambhir isn’t going anywhere. He will be with Lucknow Super Giants,” claimed a source, as quoted by InsideSport.
Both of KKR’s IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 were delivered by Gambhir, who spent 7 seasons at KKR from 2011 to 2017. He returned to Delhi in 2018 but dropped himself mid-season and soon retired.
After spending a few years in the commentary box, Gambhir returned to the IPL in 2022 in the role of a mentor for the newly-minted Sanji Goekna-owned LSG franchise. Last year, the Super Giants group then handed him the responsibility as their Global mentor for their franchise; they have a team in SA20 as well.
Under Gambhir and head coach Andy Flower, LSG had good success, reaching the playoffs in their first two seasons, but failed to reach the final. Now, he will work with Langer to deliver LSG their maiden IPL trophy.
