Former India opener Gautam Gambhir will play the role of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, slated to get underway on March 22.

It will be interesting to see if Gambhir can produce similar results for KKR as a mentor as he did in the capacity of a captain.

Notably, Gambhir led the Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017. During his tenure, the franchise became IPL champions twice and qualified for the playoffs five times.

With barely a few days remaining for the IPL 2024, Gautam Gambhir credited KKR for making him a successful leader.

“I didn’t make KKR successful, it was KKR that made me a successful leader,” Gambhir said while speaking at the KKR Knight Club in Kolkata on Monday (March 18).

“I can assure you that whenever I leave this place (KKR), we will be in a much better position,” he added.

Gambhir further expressed his gratitude to KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and his team for their immense support over the years.

“I’m a very tough guy to handle. I have to thank SRK (Shah Rukh) and (Venky) Mysore (Managing Director of KKR) for putting up with my tantrums all these years,” Gambhir stated.

He added, “He (SRK) told me the same thing that he had told me when I joined as a player. ‘This is your franchise, make it or break it.'”

Gambhir also had special praise reserved for KKR all-rounder Sunil Narine, saying: “Sunil Narine has sacrificed a lot for KKR.”

“From being reported, to being banned from playing the Champions League final, remodelling his action, coming back and doing the same stuff year after year. He had to go through a lot,” he remarked.

Gautam Gambhir also had a message for the KKR fans ahead of the IPL 2024 season.

“Keep supporting us. You have all the right to be angry with us and disappointed with us. But I can assure you we will give everything to make you smile. You can be proud of us. We will make sure KKR and Kolkata are smiling at the end.”

(With inputs from Agencies)