While the IPL auction is very near, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir talked about his former IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The two-time IPL winning captain Gambhir feels KKR needs to change the captaincy ahead of the new IPL season.
Before Gautam Gambhir’s presence, KKR had disappointed results in IPL history. But Gambhir’s presence made the franchise team totally passionate and that team provided the very consistent success in IPL history. Gambhir played for KKR from 2011 to 2017, and in between this period, KKR won two IPL trophies (2012 and 2014).
Ahead of the IPL 2018 auction, Gautam Gambhir left KKR after wishing to play his final IPL moments for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Apart from finishing as the leading run-scorer for KKR, Gambhir was also their best-ever captain. However, the team is still in his heart and mind.
Kolkata is ready to host the IPL auction for the first time on 19th December 2019. Ahead of the new IPL auction, Gambhir talked about the present captaincy of KKR. Though he feels that there are not many captaincy options in the team, he also feels that the team should move away from Dinesh Karthik‘s captaincy. Gambhir has pointed out that Karthik-led KKR didn’t perform as per expectations in the last two IPL seasons. Even many have questioned the quality of Dinesh Karthik’s leadership.
I will go with Shubman Gill – Gautam Gambhir said about next KKR captain
Gautam Gambhir believes that youngster Shubman Gill can be a good option for KKR’s next captaincy role. While Gill is currently in good form in domestic cricket, he has also impressed in the IPL career, playing for KKR. Gill has played 27 IPL matches where the right-handed batsman has scored 499 runs with an average of 33.26. He has already hit four half-centuries, including his best 76 runs.
“For me, there are not many captaincy options in this team. I will go with Shubman Gill. I will go with a youngster. Dinesh Karthik will have the baggage of two years. He did not perform as per expectations. Go with Shubman Gill, a new young face. He might give new thinking and results.”
Ahead of the upcoming IPL auction, KKR has retained 14 players from the last IPL season and has released 11 players. While KKR still have INR 35.65 crore, they can add a maximum of 11 players, including a maximum of four overseas cricketers.