Gautam Gambhir represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2011 to 2017, leading the team to clinch the prestigious title twice in 2012 and 2014. This year, he made a homecoming to KKR as a mentor. Gambhir’s return proved to be a game-changer for KKR in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, with the two-time champions currently topping the points table with eight wins in 11 matches and an impressive net run rate of +1.453. Gambhir not only instilled a sense of belief in the team, but his tactical acumen also yielded positive results.
The former Indian opener holds a special place in the hearts of KKR fans, serving as an emotional anchor for them. A recent heartwarming moment occurred during a fan interaction session, where a devoted supporter was moved to tears while conversing with Gambhir. The video capturing this touching exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, resonating with fans nationwide.
KKR fan gets emotional in a heartfelt exchange with Gautam Gambhir
In a recent video posted by KKR on social media, a fan wearing a scarf passionately conveyed his affection for Gambhir during an event. He pleaded with Gambhir not to depart from KKR again, declaring himself as Gambhir’s biggest admirer. The man expressed the hardship he endured during Gambhir’s absence and dedicated a Bengali song to the former KKR skipper, symbolizing his unwavering devotion and pledge to always hold Gambhir in his heart.
“Sir, I am one of your biggest fans,” he started. “Just want to say, do not leave us anymore. We have faced numerous problems (indicating KKR’s performances after Gambhir left in 2017) without you. There is a Bengali song which says, ‘tomake hrid majhare rakhibo, chere debo na. Chere dile sonar gour ar je fire pabo na’ (We place you in our hearts, please do not leave us anymore). Do not give problems to us sir,” the fan said with folded hands.
Here is the video:
Aapni amader hriday e thaaken! 💜 pic.twitter.com/v8u801GOwN
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 11, 2024
Also READ: IPL 2024- Wasim Akram expresses desire to see Rohit Sharma at KKR next year
Notable decisions of Gambhir as KKR’s mentor
Upon his return to KKR, Gambhir made strategic moves that significantly influenced the team’s performance. One such decision was to elevate Sunil Narine to the opening position, a move that paid off really well. Another masterstroke was recruiting Phil Salt as a replacement for Jason Roy, a decision that proved to be a game-changer for the team. The consistent performances of the Narine-Salt partnership at the top of the batting order dominated opponent bowlers, contributing to setting big totals for the team.
Notably, Narine achieved a significant milestone in his career during the 17th season of the cash-rich league by scoring his maiden T20 century, highlighting his invaluable contribution to the team. Furthermore, Gambhir’s faith in uncapped Indian players played a pivotal role in KKR’s success. While Angkrish Raghuvanshi solidified his position at number three in the batting lineup, Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora delivered crucial performances in the bowling department when it mattered most.
