IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir’s comeback to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their mentor has been backed by the franchise’s former player Robin Uthappa ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Uthappa reckoned that Gambhir will give a lot of security to the players, adding that his competitive attitude will also rub on the KKR players who will be led by Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2024.
“I had tweeted that this is the best thing which has happened to KKR in a very, very long time. I believe in this as the kind of leader he is and has been for KKR, I know that he is someone who will get the best out of the player. There is a fashion in which he functions which brings out the best in the players,” Uthappa said on the sidelines of an ISL 2024 press conference on Wednesday, March 6.
“One of the things he does is provide a lot of security and backing for good players. That sends the right message to the players. He has got a few ways to bring the best out of the players and is very competitive as well. Obviously when the leader is competitive that seeps into everybody else, it trickles down in the group.
“It’s a good thing for KKR and I am certain that fans are very happy. Anybody who has played for KKR and supported KKR will always look at this as a very positive move in the right direction,” he added.
Gambhir, a BJP MP from East Delhi, recently requested the party to relieve him from his political duties. He earlier served as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2022 and 2023. The team qualified for the playoffs in both years.
KKR finished at seventh spot in the ten-team IPL 2023. They will kick off their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday, March 23.