Gautam Gambhir’s Midas touch: Kolkata Knight Riders on the cusp of IPL glory
Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir may not have a magic wand, but he certainly knows how to bring a team together. His leadership skills have once again come to the fore as he guided KKR to yet another Indian Premier League final.
Gambhir, who previously led KKR to two IPL titles, has been instrumental in creating a cohesive team environment where players trust each other and bond both on and off the field. This season, his mentorship has been pivotal in the team’s success.
One of the key decisions Gambhir made was to bring in Mitchell Starc for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore in the auction, despite doubts from the cricketing fraternity. He also backed players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, giving them the freedom to express themselves on the field.
Under Gambhir’s guidance, Narine was promoted as an opener, a move that paid off as he emerged as one of the leading scorers for KKR this season. Similarly, Russell has had an impressive run with the team, thanks to Gambhir’s support.
The mentorship extended beyond the star players to young, uncapped players who were given the confidence to perform. Gambhir’s ability to create a happy dressing room environment has been lauded by former players, who credit him for the team’s success.
As KKR gears up for the IPL final, Gambhir’s strategic planning from the dugout and captain Shreyas Iyer’s on-field execution have been key to the team’s journey. With the Knights looking to break their title jinx after a decade, all eyes are now on the final showdown at Chepauk.