Gautam Gambhir was appointed captain in 2011 after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a dismal start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) career, missing the playoffs in each of their first three seasons. Within the next three seasons, KKR claimed two titles. After finishing sixth in the table in 2023, the two-time champions KKR once again acquired Gambhir, but this time as a mentor. However, the advice that co-owner Shah Rukh Khan gave him thirteen years ago still stands: “Make it or break it.”
Over the past five seasons, KKR has had a string of disappointing results; the only season they have advanced to the final is 2021. In 2020 and 2019, they came in fifth, and in 2022 and 2023, they came in seventh.
Although his relationship with head coach Chandrakant Pandit will be emphasised, Gambhir is expected to infuse new energy and discipline into the KKR team. Under his guidance, the Lucknow Super Giants finished third in the last two IPL seasons.
Speaking at the Knights Unplugged event at the team hotel in Kolkata, Gambhir expressed his gratitude by saying, “First of all, I want to say one thing: I’m a very tough guy to handle.” I must thank Shah Rukh Khan, the team’s major owner, and Venky Mysore, the CEO, who is also present. They have put up with many of my outbursts and stubbornness for a long time.”
“Kyun ke sach yeh hai ki hum sachchai se ladna jaante hai, hum haar na jaante hai, aur hum jitna bhi jaante hain (Because the truth is that we know how to fight with honesty, we know how to lose, and we know how to win),” he added.
In his return to the team as a mentor, the 2011 World Cup winner then reflected on his time spent in KKR in 2011 and disclosed Shah Rukh’s scathing advice to him: “He only told me the same thing that he had told me when I joined KKR as a player in 2011: ‘This is your franchise; make it or break it.'” It was exactly what he told me. We’ll be in a much better situation when I leave this location, even if I have no idea what will happen next.”
