Gautam Gambhir had a knack for picking young talent when he was the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). KC Cariappa is one of them as he was picked for KKR in IPL 2015 after a few good performances in a zonal T20 league.

“Gambhir was a very good captain. He was a little strict in terms of bowling discipline, and effort on the field was something he wouldn’t compromise. Outside the field, he didn’t bother you. On the field, you had to give your 100% and that’s what I loved,” Cariappa said.

Even after getting picked in the player auction, Cariappa didn’t get too many matches in the tournament that year and eventually lost his place to veteran Sunil Narine. Despite that, the youngster had a memorable IPL as he picked AB de Villiers as his maiden wicket.

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“I haven’t got too many chances in the IPL. When I got selected in 2015, my name did the rounds, but I didn’t get too many matches. ABD was my debut wicket, but after that, I didn’t play, Narine came back and I lost my chance,” the 27-year-old said.

Irrespective of the number of matches the IPL teaches a lot to a cricketer and that’s what the Bangalore-based spinner said when he recalled his debut match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

“But like everyone says, more the matches, higher the confidence. I still remember the first match I played, there were 1 lakh people in the Eden Gardens crowd, it was surreal. I would love to get more matches in the seasons to come and re-live those moments,” Cariappa signed off.

(With News18 inputs)