Gautam Gambhir left LSG to join KKR before IPL 2024.
The franchise made a big addition to its backroom staff before the season and roped in Gautam Gambhir as its mentor.
Dainik Jagran has reported that Sanjiv Goenka , the owner of LSG, was surprised after reading the report of Gambhir leaving the franchise.
Will Gautam Gambhir leave KKR?
Cricbuzz has reported that Gambhir and BCCI's secretary, Jay Shah had a meeting after the IPL 2024 final.
Gautam Gambhir left LSG to join KKR before IPL 2024. Photo: AP/X
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Gautam Gambhir left LSG for KKR before IPL 2024
Sanjiv Goenka was left surprised after he read the report of Gambhir leaving LSG
Gambhir was reportedly offered a blank cheque by Shah Rukh Khan
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended their decade-long wait and lifted the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Trophy by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. The franchise made a big addition to its backroom staff before the season and roped in Gautam Gambhir as its mentor. Gambhir was with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2022 and 2023.
Since LSG made it to the second round of both seasons, no one was expecting him to leave the franchise. Gambhir's meeting with Shah Rukh Khan at his house first hinted at him leaving LSG. Dainik Jagran has reported that Sanjiv Goenka , the owner of LSG, was surprised after reading the report of Gambhir leaving the franchise.
The report turned out to be true and KKR announced Gambhir's return to the franchise in November 2023. The report in Dainik Jagran adds that SRK's offer to Gambhir was too good to be ignored.
The Bollywood legend reportedly offered him a blank cheque. Along with that, he asked Gambhir to handle the team for 10 years. Gambhir did the job in his very season as the mentor and propelled them to a title win.
For the first time in history, KKR finished at the top spot in the points table and won 9 out of their 14 matches. The Shreyas Iyer-led side defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first qualifier to punch its ticket to the final. KKR defeated the same team in the final to lift the IPL 2024 trophy.
Will Gautam Gambhir leave KKR?
Gautam Gambhir's stint as KKR's mentor could come to an end after just one season as he is reportedly in line to become Team India's head coach. Cricbuzz has reported that Gambhir and BCCI's secretary, Jay Shah had a meeting after the IPL 2024 final. It isn't known whether Gambhir has applied for the post or not.
VVS Laxman, who seemed to be the favourite for the top job, isn't interested in taking up the position. Laxman has been working with the National Cricket Academy since 2021 and reportedly wants to continue that work.
The new head coach will replace Rahul Dravid, whose stint ends after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri as the head coach after the 2021 T20 World Cup. His first stint ended after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Dravid was given an extension by the BCCI till the 2024 T20 World Cup.
