‘Win The IPL…’: Gautam Gambhir Sets Target In His Speech To Kolkata Knight Riders Players

With less than a week to go for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season opener, the franchises have already started their preparations for the high-profile event. Fans are being treated to tons of footage ahead of the season- from training sessions, to player arrivals, to behind-the-scenes shenanigans, the content on social media only keeps adding to the fervour and anticipation. Now, in a video uploaded by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed mentor of the team, can be seen giving a pep talk to the players ahead of their training session.

“We start the season from today. Whether it is physically, mentally, or skill wise, give everything possible. It’s a very, very proud and a successful franchise,” Gautam Gambhir said. “You guys are representing a very successful franchise. Make sure you train that way, you play that way, and you carry that attitude on the field,” he added.

Gautam Gambhir reminded the players of their goal for the current season- to compete in the final and that in the KKR dressing room, all individuals stand on equal footing, regardless of whether they are a junior or a senior, or if they play domestic or international cricket.

“One thing I absolutely believe in is giving all the freedom to the players. That is something very important. So people who have played with me, know one thing about me that everyone in this group will be treated equally. There’s no senior/junior. No domestic/international because we have got one mission and that is to win the IPL. So everyone needs to follow that one simple path. On 26th May, we should be there, giving everything possible. And it starts from today,” the former KKR skipper said.

It is going to be an emotional season for Gautam Gambhir as he has returned to the franchise he spent the most time with as a player. Gambhir was signed by KKR in 2011 after the left-hander spent three years with Delhi Capitals (then known as Delhi Daredevils).

Gautam Gambhir led KKR to their first-ever IPL title in 2012. KKR repeated the feat by winning their second IPL title in three years after beating Punjab Kings (previously known as Kings XI Punjab) in the final in 2014.

KKR are scheduled to play three games in the first phase of IPL 2024. They will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 23 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.