Follow UsGautam Gambhir will return to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), CEO Venky Mysore confirmed in a media release. Gambhir previously held a similar role with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) since 2021, until least season, where the team made it to the playoffs, losing to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator.
Gambhir led KKR to the IPL title in 2012 and 2014, also to the Champions League T20 final in 2014 before moving to Delhi Capitals in 2017. Overall, he played 108 matches for KKR, scoring 3,035 runs at 31.61. Speaking of his return to the franchise, Gambhir said, “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."
Welcoming Gambhir back to the franchise, 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 Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR."
At KKR, Gambhir will link up with skipper Shreyas Iyer, with whom he played at the Capitals as well. KKR finished a disappointing seventh in IPL 2023 and along with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, Gambhir will hope to get the team fighting for the title once again.