Gautam Gambhir said a tearful goodbye to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) supporters in a poignant homage as he moves on from being the team’s mentor to the esteemed post of head coach of India. Former KKR captain and mentor Gambhir has had a key role in the team’s achievements.
His relationship with KKR has been nothing short of extraordinary; as captain, he guided the side to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and as a mentor, he helped them win their most recent title in 2024. His hiring as India’s head coach on July 9, 2024, necessitated his resignation from the team after Rahul Dravid’s productive term.
Gautam Gambhir has a longstanding relationship with the cricket-loving people of Kolkata. He acknowledged his relationship with the city and its supporters in a heartfelt video tribute that he posted on his Instagram account.
“When you smile, I smile too. When you cry, I cry too. When you succeed, I succeed. When you lose, I also lose. When you dream, so do I. When you succeed, I succeed. I am you, Kolkata; I am only one of you. I believe in you and I become you. I understand your pain and your struggles. I’ve been crushed by the rejections, yet like you, I wake up full of optimism. Like you, I get defeated every day, but I’m not giving up,” Gambhir captioned the video message that he uploaded to Instagram.
“They advise me to get popularity, but I advise them to succeed. Kolkata, I’m you. Like all of you, I am. The air in Kolkata speaks to me. The traffic congestion, the streets, and the sounds. They all express your feelings. Although I understand what you mean, I hear what you say. I am aware of your emotions. And I am, too. I am aware of your demands. And I am, too. Kolkata and I are a pair. We are a narrative. In his video message, Gambhir stated, “We are a team.”
Watch the video below:
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Everything will revolve around our India and the Gautam Gambhir Gambhir promised a fresh start in his message, which went beyond a simple farewell. He asked for the KKR supporters’ unwavering support as he embarks on a new path as India’s head coach.
And now is the moment for us to start leaving some legacy jointly. The moment has arrived for us to start writing some more ambitious and audacious scripts. The lettering was written in that blue—the cherished India blue—rather than purple ink. We make a mutual commitment to never walk alone as we each accept our brand-new cards. It’s going to be hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder forever. It’s all going to be for the. The former stated, “It will all be about our India.”
Priorities for the 42-year-old will include the forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka, which begins on July 27 and consists of three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The new head coach has been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but the other coaches who will assist the outgoing opener have not yet been decided. The team and the remaining members of the support staff should soon be announced by the board.
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