In front of the forthcoming Indian Premier League season, Gautam Gambhir, the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has some “serious” advice for his team. The IPL, according to Gambhir, is an opportunity for players to express themselves in the hardest competition in the world, not about Bollywood or any other glitz associated with it. Gambhir guided KKR to two titles during his time as captain.
After spending two years with the Lucknow Super Giants, the experienced Indian opener Gambhir decided to make a homecoming in Kolkata and joined KKR, who won their last IPL title back in 2014. He attended the IPL 2024 players’ auction alongside other KKR players, where the team spent a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore to recruit Mitchell Starc.
“I stated unequivocally on Day 1 that I take the Indian Premier League seriously. It has nothing to do with Bollywood, you, the after-party, or other such things. Because it’s true cricket, it’s about going out there and playing competitive cricket, which is why I think this league is the hardest in the globe, according to Gambhir on Star Sports.
The seasoned batter emphasised the importance of the Indian Premier League globally.
“It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league, and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket pitch,” he stated.
After the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, KKR is the only other team to have won numerous IPL championships. Nevertheless, their recent seasons have not gone well, as they have finished in seventh place and missed the playoffs.
Gambhir also discussed Kolkata’s devoted fan base, which has supported the team through difficult times.
“I believe there are ardent supporters. We must tell them the truth. We should probably attempt to put a smile on their faces because, in my opinion, Kolkata fans have been the most devoted. After all, they have endured a lot over the first three IPL seasons,” Gambhir remarked.
The two-time IPL champion captain went on to say that instead of concentrating on their off-field pursuits, players should try to figure out how they can help the club win another championship.
This was the most well-known squad. However, I’ve always held the opinion that glamour isn’t really important. All that counts in cricket is what we do on the pitch; off-field antics should not be associated with KKR. The KKR coach said, “They ought to be recognised for the results we produce on the cricket pitch.