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NEW DELHI: All set to take charge of Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Gautama Gambhir He has made it very clear to the team that the tournament is not about Bollywood and after parties and that he means business on the field.
Gambhir said the IPL is “the toughest league in the world” and is a brilliant opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
The former India opener, who led KKR to two titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain, returns to the franchise after two years as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants.
“I made it very clear on Day 1 that the IPL for me is serious cricket. It’s not about Bollywood, it’s not about you, it’s not about an after-party and stuff. It’s about going out and playing competitive cricket and that’s the reason why I feel it’s the toughest league in the world because it’s real cricket,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.
“It’s probably the closest to international cricket compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you have to be able to deliver on the cricket field,” he added.
“I think there are very passionate fans. We have to be honest with them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness to their smiles because I have always believed that the most loyal fans have been the Kolkata fans because they have gone through a lot in the first three years of the IPL. Obviously, they were also the highest profile team, but I have always believed that ultimately it is not about drama, but about what we do on the cricket field. That matters. KKR should be known for what we deliver on the field,” Gambhir said.
KKR finished seventh in the 2023 edition of the tournament under stand-in captain Nitish Rana.
The 17th edition of the IPL begins on March 22.
KKR will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match on March 23 at Eden Gardens.
Gambhir said the IPL is “the toughest league in the world” and is a brilliant opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
The former India opener, who led KKR to two titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain, returns to the franchise after two years as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants.
“I made it very clear on Day 1 that the IPL for me is serious cricket. It’s not about Bollywood, it’s not about you, it’s not about an after-party and stuff. It’s about going out and playing competitive cricket and that’s the reason why I feel it’s the toughest league in the world because it’s real cricket,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.
“It’s probably the closest to international cricket compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you have to be able to deliver on the cricket field,” he added.
“I think there are very passionate fans. We have to be honest with them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness to their smiles because I have always believed that the most loyal fans have been the Kolkata fans because they have gone through a lot in the first three years of the IPL. Obviously, they were also the highest profile team, but I have always believed that ultimately it is not about drama, but about what we do on the cricket field. That matters. KKR should be known for what we deliver on the field,” Gambhir said.
KKR finished seventh in the 2023 edition of the tournament under stand-in captain Nitish Rana.
The 17th edition of the IPL begins on March 22.
KKR will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match on March 23 at Eden Gardens.