Under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship, Kolkata Knight Riders won a third IPL title earlier this year.
New Delhi: Former Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Gautam Gambhir gave an emotional tribute to all the KKR fans through a two-minute and 30-second video on Tuesday as he embarks on a new journey with the Indian cricket team. Following his return to KKR for IPL 2024 as a mentor, the Kolkata-based franchise lifted their third IPL title, thus paving the way for Gambhir to be considered as the perfect fit to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Notably, it was under Gambhir’s leadership, KKR won two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Incidentally, the southpaw who was a part of two World Cup wins, couldn’t say No to an India job, thereby leaving his favourite IPL franchise after just one year in mentorship.
In the video, Gambhir spoke about the bond he shares with people of Kolkata and how he is connected with the fans. “Come Kolkata, let’s create some new legacies @kkriders @iamsrk @indiancricketteam. Dedicated to Kolkata and KKR fans and Special thanks to Cricket Association of Bengal @cabcricket @kkriders,” captioned Gambhir on Instagram.
“I smile when you smile. I cry when you cry. I win when you win. I lose, when you lose. I dream when you dream. I achieve when you achieve. I believe with you and I become with you I am you Kolkata, I’m just one of you. I know your struggles and I know where it hurts. The rejections have crushed me but like you, I wake up embracing hope. I get beaten every day but like you, I’m yet to be defeated. They tell me to be popular, I tell them to be a winner. I am you, Kolkata I’m just one of you. This Kolkata air talks to me. The sounds, the streets here, the traffic jams. They all convey how you feel. I hear what you say, but I know what you mean. I know you’re emotional. So am I. I know you’re demanding. So am I. Kolkata, we are a bond. We are a story. We are a team,” he said in the video.
Meanwhile, Gambhir will take charge of the Indian team from the Sri Lanka. India will play three ODIs and T20Is against Sri Lanka, starting from July 27.