Last week, the elegant Indian batsman, Gautam Gambhir decided to hang his boots from all forms of cricket. He started playing first class cricket back in 1999 and his illustrious career lasted for approximately a couple of decades. Apart from his glorious journey for India, he also has expertly plied his trade in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).
Apart from playing for Delhi Daredevils (DD) in three seasons, the southpaw was appointed as the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and he helped the franchise to a couple of title victories. However, KKR released him ahead of the upcoming season and he was back to his previous franchise- the Daredevils. The Delhi based team made him the skipper and rightly so.
Nevertheless, Gambhir failed to make the season prosperous for them and subsequently, he had to step down as the leader after only six matches. Later, he didn’t even get to play a match after his resignation as the captain of the franchise. Following his stint with KKR and DD, speculations have sparked surrounding him joining Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), who is yet to win the championship with 2014 being their best season thus far in the T20 event.
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The speculations of Gambhir joining KXIP started making rounds after a string of tweets from the Punjab franchise and Gambhir himself. They already have Mike Hesson as their head coach and hence, Gautam can be roped in as a mentor, batting coach or any other role. The message started after Punjab tweeted for him after his retirement.
Punjab wrote, “End of a chapter, a new one begins! We wish you a great future ahead, @GautamGambhir! #ThankYouGambhir for the fond memories! Image Courtesy: @IPL,”
Here is Punjab’s first tweet:
End of a chapter, a new one begins! 😢
We wish you a great future ahead, @GautamGambhir! 🙏🏽
#ThankYouGambhir for the fond memories! 👍🏽Image Courtesy: @IPL pic.twitter.com/XoWrCMjLRs
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 4, 2018
Gambhir was quick to spot the wishes. He reverted and wrote, “Thanks team red for making it special. Let’s meet soon…@BCCI @BCCIdomestic,”
Thanks team red for making it special. Let’s meet soon…@BCCI @BCCIdomestic
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 10, 2018
In the next tweet, KXIP showed their eagerness to have the southpaw. They wrote, “It is our pleasure. Waiting to see you cheer for our lions from the stands of the den! @GautamGambhir,”
It is our pleasure. Waiting to see you cheer for our lions from the stands of the den! @GautamGambhir https://t.co/2pFlRbhiL6
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 11, 2018
