The Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders took a big decision in the retention policy for IPL 2018 by leaving skipper Gautam Gambhir for the next seasons. He has captained this team since he was brought in 2011, in the process he led KKR to two IPL titles.

Just before the auction, Gambhir expressed his thoughts on this big decision and said that he respects the decision made by team owners, who gave him a solid reason for his omission.

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Gambhir went back in time to 2011 when he was rather worried about his selection in the Indian team for the World Cup that was to be played at home. Only on the day of the auction did he pay any attention to it at all.

“Back in 2011, I remember it was January and the only worry I had was whether I will be picked for the 50-over World Cup later that year or not. It was only on the day of the auction, I had a few butterflies in my tummy. Now, seven years later, I have a broader view to life and cricket,” Gambhir told TOI.

“I am at a stage of my career where I want to be a senior statesman, a mentor to the younger cricketers. Whether that happens in KKR, Sunrisers, Delhi, Mumbai I am absolutely fine with it.”

Talking about the feeling to not represent KKR again, he feels it was an ‘emotional investment’ for him over the years.

“Yes it will be, it will be tough as KKR gave a platform to express myself as a batsman, a leader, as a human. But at the end of the day I respect the call KKR has taken, they have some solid reasons behind the move which they have explained and I am fine with them. There are no hard feelings at all, maybe there are fresh challenges waiting for me. I will be glad to accept them and turn things around. Let us see what happens,” he quoted.

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The mega-auction of IPL will take place on January 27-28 in Bengaluru, where every franchise will try to buy a balanced squad.