Former Indian team opener Gautam Gambhir has returned to his roots, bidding farewell to his role as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on November 22nd. The former India opener has rejoined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, where he previously led the team to victory in 2012 and 2014.
In his new stint with KKR, Gambhir will serve as the mentor, collaborating closely with head coach Chandrakant Pandit.
Expressing his sentiments, Gambhir shared a heartfelt message upon leaving his position as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants. Having been an integral part of the team since its inception in 2022 under the leadership of KL Rahul, Gambhir acknowledged the memorable journey and expressed gratitude to everyone involved, including players, coaches, and support staff.
Gambhir’s departure from Lucknow Super Giants coincides with changes in the coaching staff, with Andy Flower stepping down earlier in the year and the team bringing in Justin Langer, the coach of Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, for the upcoming season.
Acknowledging his time with Lucknow Super Giants, Gambhir thanked Dr. Sanjiv Goenka for his leadership in building the franchise and supporting his endeavors. He conveyed confidence in the team’s future success and extended his best wishes to the LSG brigade.
❤️❤️ LSG Brigade! pic.twitter.com/xfG3YBu6l4
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 22, 2023
Returning to the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he previously led the team to two IPL titles, Gambhir is set to make an emotional comeback as a mentor. The official release from KKR emphasized the historic nature of Gambhir’s previous association with the team from 2011 to 2017, highlighting the two IPL titles, five playoff qualifications, and the 2014 Champions League T20 finals.
Welcome home, mentor @GautamGambhir! 🤗
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 22, 2023
Full story: https://t.co/K9wduztfHg#AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/inOX9HFtTT
After his stint with KKR, Gambhir briefly played for the Delhi Capitals before taking on the role of mentor with Lucknow Super Giants. His return to KKR marks a significant chapter in his enduring connection with the franchise.
