Gautam Gambhir’s return as a mentor has injected new vigour into the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 season. The former captain, renowned for leading KKR to two IPL titles, now collaborates closely with coaches Chandrakant Pandit and Abhishek Nayar to elevate the team’s performance. Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, KKR currently occupies the second spot on the points table, boasting six wins in nine matches.
For KKR, Mumbai presents a significant challenge, given their history of struggles at the venue since 2012. Despite Mumbai Indians languishing at the 9th spot with just 6 points, they possess an impressive track record against KKR at Wankhede Stadium.
In anticipation of the much-anticipated clash, KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir reminisced about his playing days, singling out one batsman who posed the greatest challenge – Rohit Sharma. Speaking candidly to Star Sports, Gambhir revealed the unparalleled respect he held for Sharma’s batting prowess, admitting that Sharma was the sole player who kept him awake at night, strategizing multiple plans to contain him.
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“The only batsman that I’ve feared is Rohit Sharma. The only batter who has given me sleepless nights… No Chris Gayle, no AB de Villiers, only Rohit. I always knew I had to have a Plan A, a Plan B and probably a Plan C as well, because if Rohit is in, I don’t think anything can control him,” shared Gautam Gambhir.
Game recognises game 🙌🏽
“The only batsman I feared in IPL was @ImRo45“, @GautamGambhir praises the Indian captain’s batting prowess! 😳
Will he lead #TeamIndia to glory in the #T20WorldCup2024?
📺 | #MIvKKR | TODAY, 6:30 PM | #IPLOnStar pic.twitter.com/eEav5GbKG5
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 3, 2024
Gambhir’s meticulous planning against Sharma showcased the respect and admiration he held for the Mumbai Indians captain. Recalling his strategic approach, Gutam Gambhir revealed, “I’ve never planned for any other batter in the IPL except Rohit Sharma… Probably, he was the only batter I feared as a captain.”
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As KKR prepares to counter Sharma’s prowess in the upcoming match, all eyes will also be on Rinku Singh. Singh’s exclusion from India’s T20 World Cup squad has stirred sympathy for the 26-year-old power-hitter, whose limited game time this season may have influenced the selectors’ decision. As the match unfolds, KKR will aim to deploy effective strategies to tackle Sharma’s dominance and secure another crucial victory.
