Prior to the 2011 Indian Premier League (IPL), Gautam Gambhir recently disclosed that he had some concerns about taking over as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in lieu of Sourav Ganguly. However, he was pleasantly surprised by the immense affection and support he received from the people of the City of Joy.
After taking over, Gambhir helped the Knight Riders qualify for the playoffs for the first time by instilling a winning attitude in the team. He guided KKR to the coveted IPL trophy the next year. Under the small batter’s guidance, the Kolkata-based team won the IPL championship in 2014. Gambhir rejoined KKR as their coach ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League, and he has assisted the Shreyas Iyer-led team in making it to the playoffs.
The 42-year-old remembered how some had told him that after he took Sourav’s place as captain of the KKR in 2011, he would encounter a fierce backlash from the team’s supporters. He did, however, thank the people of Kolkata for supporting him while he was employed with the franchise.
Many people warned me that since you are taking Sourav Ganguly‘s place, there would be severe repercussions. I still recall the unbelievable amount of love I experienced on my first day in Kolkata. Never imagined that I would be loved in that way since after Sourav was replaced, many topics were discussed. However, Gambhir never once felt as though he did not belong in Kolkata during his seven years as captain, and that is how he felt about the people, as he stated to Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
I have never gone alone in my seven years as captain: Gambhir
Gambhir thought back to the IPL 2012 high-stakes match between KKR and the Ganguly-led Pune Warriors India (PWI) at Eden Gardens. The Delhi native recalled reading in a news article that Bengal will be split again following partition when Sourav’s PWI and Gambhir’s KKR square off. But the winner of the ODI World Cup recalled how the people of Kolkata gave him amazing support that day and stated they have continued to stand by him.
“I stated it from the bottom of my heart that Kolkata is my home, and I carry that passion because I remember this one game, not because I was captaining them. I believe the entire stadium was split into Purple and Blue while we were facing Pune Warriors, who were led by Sourav. Bengal would be split for the second time following partition, according to a sizable piece published on the day of the match. It was the front page headline,” remarked Gambhir.
“When you walk today for the toss, remember that the entire Bengal will be cheering for you because KKR belongs to Kolkata and you will not walk alone today,” said the man at the gate as I was leaving the hotel where we were staying. I carried that thought with me to the toss, and in my seven years as captain, I have never once walked alone. The people of Kolkata have marched beside me, which is the strength I gained from the city. For this reason, I always try to give back to the people of Kolkata when I visit,” he continued.
India
