On the morning of Wednesday, 22 November, Gautam Gambhir confirmed his homecoming to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise, where he had most of his IPL success and the franchise whose only success came under Gambhir.
Just like the fans, Gambhir’s former KKR teammate and batting partner Robin Uthappa, too, was delighted with this special return of Gautam Gambhir.
“I’m back. I’m hungry. I’m No.23. Ami KKR ❤️❤️ @KKRiders,” Gautam Gambhir posted on Twitter.
Robin Uthappa, who won the IPL 2014 title and also the Orange Cap under Gambhir, took to Twitter to express his happiness and elation at waking up to this news.
“By far the best thing to happen to KKR since he left!! Excited for @KKRiders now!!” Robin Uthappa tweeted.
This is back to where it all started: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir’s last appearance as a player in the black and gold of KKR was in IPL 2017 after which he was released. He spent one season at Delhi and announced his retirement. Gambhir spent a couple of years in the commentary box before joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2022 as their mentor. Under Gambhir’s mentorship, the KL Rahul-led LSG reached the playoffs in both IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons, but couldn’t reach the finals.
Despite being promoted to the position of a global mentor, Gambhir decided to move on from LSG and return to KKR in the role of a mentor.
“I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different,” Gambhir said in a statement. “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 [I am] KKR.”
The southpaw played crucial roles for India in their T20 World Cup 2007 final vs Pakistan and 2011 World Cup final vs Sri Lanka, being the top-scorer for India in both those finals. He captained KKR to five playoffs and also to the final of the now-defunct Champions League T20 tournament in 2014.
KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan said: “Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our captain coming back home in a different avatar as a ‘Mentor’. He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu [Chandrakant Pandit] Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR.”
The KKR coaching staff includes Chandrakant Pandit (head coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), James Foster (assistant coach), Bharat Arun (bowling coach) and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach).
