Cricket

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has led his team to the IPL final twice in the past four years. Despite his success, Iyer remains unfazed by the lack of recognition he receives as a leader, acknowledging the significant contributions of his mentor, Gautam Gambhir.Iyer's leadership qualities were evident in 2020 when he guided the Delhi Capitals to the IPL title clash. Now, he has steered KKR to the summit match of this edition, where they will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.When asked about the perceived lack of recognition for his leadership achievements, Iyer responded assertively, "The hype is definitely created by you guys (media). Where I stand (as a skipper) is definitely on you (to decide)."Iyer praised Gambhir's invaluable contributions as a mentor, describing him as one of the finest readers of the game in the T20 format. "About Gautam bhai, I feel he has got immense knowledge about how the game is played. He has won two titles previously with KKR, and his strategies have been spot-on in terms of what execution we have to make against the opposition."Iyer expressed confidence in KKR's victory over SRH, attributing it to Gambhir's astute guidance from the dugout. "Hopefully, we keep continuing with the same momentum with his knowledge."The past six months have been a rollercoaster for Iyer. His initial reluctance to play red-ball domestic cricket resulted in the loss of his BCCI central contract. However, he returned to play the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, scoring a crucial 95 in the second innings.Despite a middling IPL season and being overlooked for the T20 World Cup squad, Iyer has remained focused on his performance. He admitted to struggling with a back injury after the World Cup, but emphasized that he has put those concerns behind him."When IPL was approaching, all I wanted was to put my best foot forward. Whatever planning and strategizing we did before it and executing it to the best of our abilities, and that's where we are right now," he said.Iyer acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from red-ball to white-ball cricket, but stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand. "All I did was stay in the present and not think about what was going to happen to me or was worried about the selection process. I just wanted to come and participate and play to the best of my abilities."

Gautam Gambhir, the former India opener and current mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has emerged as a potential frontrunner for the vacant head coach position of the Indian cricket team. BCCI secretary Jay Shah's recent statement that the board is seeking individuals with a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure has fueled speculation about Gambhir's candidacy.Gambhir's lack of formal coaching experience is not seen as a deterrent, as his reputation for plain speaking and his ability to empower players are considered valuable assets. As captain of KKR, he revived the team's fortunes, leading them to two IPL titles in four years.Sources close to the development indicate that Gambhir has not yet received a formal proposal from the BCCI, but he is reportedly open to considering the role. His success with KKR this season, where the team topped the table and is favored to win the final, has further enhanced his credentials.Gambhir's philosophy as a leader emphasizes rewarding small contributions and fostering a sense of empowerment among players. He has consistently recognized the contributions of lesser-known players, such as Venkatesh Iyer and Harshit Rana, alongside the team's star performers.One of Gambhir's notable strengths as a captain was his willingness to take bold decisions. In the 2012 IPL final, he dropped Brendon McCullum to include Manvinder Bisla, a move that proved to be a masterstroke. Similarly, as KKR mentor, he invested heavily in Mitchell Starc, who played a crucial role in the team's Qualifier 1 victory.Gambhir's potential appointment as head coach would bring a fresh perspective to the Indian team. His emphasis on empowering players, recognizing small contributions, and making bold decisions could help the team overcome its recent challenges and achieve greater success.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as a testament to the unparalleled competitiveness of T20 cricket, with the margin between the top and bottom teams being remarkably narrow. This is what sets the IPL apart as the toughest league in the world, according to Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR emerged as the table-toppers despite Rajasthan Royals holding the lead for much of the season. However, a string of four defeats and a washout relegated RR to third place, while five-time champions Mumbai Indians languished at the bottom.Gambhir emphasized the exceptional strength of all IPL teams, highlighting that any team can triumph over another on any given day. "The difference between the team that finished first and the team that finished tenth is not significant," he said. "If you played a five-match series between these teams, I wouldn't be surprised if the bottom team defeated the top team."This unpredictability is what makes the IPL so captivating, according to Gambhir. "That's why we say that the IPL is the toughest league in the world," he stated. "It's as big as any T20 World Cup because the margin between teams is so small. It's impossible to predict who will win."Gambhir, who previously mentored the Lucknow Super Giants for two years, returned to KKR ahead of IPL 2024. The 42-year-old led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.While expressing his admiration for the IPL's quality of cricket, Gambhir expressed concern about the potential impact on young players' aspirations to play Test cricket for India. "I hope the IPL doesn't become a shortcut to playing for India," he said.Gambhir believes that the IPL's competitiveness has surpassed that of international T20 cricket. "Apart from a few teams, I don't see enough competition when it comes to playing for India," he said. "Not many teams can match the quality that India has."He attributed this to the exceptional quality of domestic players and their focus on T20 cricket. "Most of their focus is on playing T20 cricket," he said.

Momentum vs. Performance: Gautam Gambhir's Take on RCB's IPL ExitKolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has dismissed the notion that momentum played a significant role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's loss to Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 Eliminator. Despite RCB's impressive six-game winning streak leading into the playoffs, Gambhir believes that Rajasthan's superior performance on the day was the decisive factor."Momentum is a word that we just use too much," Gambhir told Sportskeeda. "What matters is with what intensity you take the field on the day. The team that plays fearlessly and with courage is the one that ends up with the advantage because neither the ball nor the bat knows the momentum."Gambhir emphasized the importance of mindset and consistency, particularly before crucial knockout games. He believes that players should treat every game with equal importance, maintaining intensity even throughout the league stages."You can't just switch on and off," Gambhir said. "You have to be consistent throughout the tournament. You can't just say, 'Oh, we're in the playoffs now, so we're going to play with more intensity.' You have to play with the same intensity from the first game to the last game."Gambhir also highlighted the competitiveness of the IPL, pointing out that there is very little separating the ten teams in the tournament. He believes that the league's difficulty and parity make it comparable to global tournaments."There isn't much difference between the team that finished No.1 and the team that finished No.10," Gambhir said. "If there's a five-match series between the two teams, I won't be surprised if the No.10 team beats the No.1 team comfortably. That's why the IPL is the toughest league in the world and at the level of any T20 World Cup. We all get the same purse and all teams formed are good."

Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings: A Rivalry of SimilaritiesThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some epic rivalries over the years, and one of the most intense has been between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Out of their 31 head-to-head encounters, CSK holds a commanding 19-11 advantage, with one match ending in a no result.Former KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, who recently spoke to Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, believes that the two teams have always shared a similar approach to the game. "I always felt that CSK and KKR were very, very similar in the way they approached the game," said Gambhir.Gambhir highlighted the similarities in their strategies, particularly in their use of spinners. "The way MS Dhoni used the spinners and we had three quality spinners as well. CSK had three quality spinners and probably the conditions, whether it was in Chepauk or in Eden at that time, were very similar," he explained.The former left-hander added that the tactical battles between the two sides were always intense. "Our strategies were very similar to each other. That is the reason KKR had to be at our best from the tactical point of view to be able to beat CSK. That's the reason why I always felt that CSK and KKR during those times were very very similar teams," said Gambhir.Gambhir, who returned to KKR as a mentor last year, has a wealth of experience in the IPL, having played for both Delhi Capitals and KKR. He led the Knight Riders to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.KKR will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024 on Tuesday. The match will be a crucial test for the Knight Riders, who will be aiming to reach the final and challenge for the championship.

In March 2024, Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), inadvertently revealed the date of the IPL final as May 26. Two months later, his prediction has come to fruition.KKR, led by Shreyas Iyer, secured a spot in the final after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1. Mitchell Starc's impressive bowling performance (3/34) restricted SRH to 159, which KKR chased down in just 13.4 overs. Skipper Iyer (58* off 24) and Venkatesh Iyer (51* off 28) played unbeaten half-century knocks to seal the victory.The opponent for KKR in the final will be determined by Qualifier 2, scheduled for May 24. The winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face SRH in Qualifier 2.Interestingly, Gambhir's prediction of the final date was made on March 16, when the full IPL schedule was still unknown. In a video posted by KKR, Gambhir expressed his desire for the team to reach the final on May 26."On 26th May, we should be there, giving everything possible; and it starts from today...So if we walk the same path and if we fight, I am sure we are going to achieve a lot of success," Gambhir had said.Gambhir's words have proven prophetic, as KKR will now play their fourth IPL final on May 26. The former India opener is also reportedly in contention for the post of Team India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup in June.

The search for India's next cricket team head coach has intensified, with Rahul Dravid confirming his departure. Among the potential candidates, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has emerged as a strong contender, garnering support from legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram.Akram believes Gambhir possesses the ideal qualities for the role, citing his intelligence, straightforwardness, and aggression. He emphasized that Gambhir's bluntness and willingness to speak his mind, while not always aligned with Indian cricket culture, would bring a much-needed edge to the team.Gambhir's track record as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) further strengthens his case. Under his guidance, KKR has secured a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs, showcasing his ability to lead and inspire a team.Gambhir's previous success as KKR captain, guiding them to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, further demonstrates his leadership capabilities. His ability to motivate and extract the best from his players would be invaluable to the Indian team.While Gambhir's appointment would undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of aggression to the team, it remains to be seen whether he will accept the role. The time-consuming nature of the job and his personal commitments may influence his decision.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) faces a daunting task in selecting a new head coach for the senior men's team, with the deadline for applications approaching. The board has reportedly shortlisted several potential candidates, including Gautam Gambhir, Stephen Fleming, Justin Langer, and Mahela Jayawardene.However, enticing strong candidates has become challenging due to competition from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The commitment to travel with the team for 10 months a year until the 2027 ODI World Cup is a significant deterrent. All the shortlisted coaches currently hold lucrative positions with IPL franchises.The only candidate not committed to an IPL job is VVS Laxman, the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). While Laxman has reportedly expressed reluctance to take up the role, the BCCI has not ruled him out.Sources indicate that Gambhir is currently the frontrunner on the BCCI's wish list. The former India opener has reportedly developed a good rapport with senior players in the Indian team.The BCCI has not yet formally contacted any of the potential candidates, but discussions are expected to take place this week. The board is keen to make a decision before the end of the IPL playoffs, which are currently underway in Ahmedabad.The appointment of a new head coach is crucial for the Indian team, which is set to embark on a busy schedule in the coming months. The team will play a series of white-ball matches against South Africa and Australia before the T20 World Cup in October.

Gautam Gambhir, the outspoken former Indian cricketer, has shared his candid views on the spirit of cricket and gentlemanly behavior in a recent interview with Ravichandran Ashwin.According to Gambhir, the spirit of the game lies within the rules and regulations. As long as players adhere to these rules, they have the right to play hard and win within the boundaries of fair play. He believes that match-fixing and ball-tampering are the only actions that violate the spirit of the game.Gambhir's comments come in response to a specific incident during the IPL 2023 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. In that match, RCB's Harshal Patel attempted to run out LSG's Ravi Bishnoi at the non-striker's end.Gambhir stated that he would have been fine with Bishnoi being run out, as it was the non-striker's responsibility to stay within his crease. He emphasized that the spirit of the game does not require players to show mercy or compassion in such situations.Gambhir's views on the spirit of cricket have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts. Some argue that his interpretation is too narrow and that the game should also be played with a sense of sportsmanship and fair play. Others support Gambhir's stance, believing that the rules should be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of the game.Regardless of one's perspective, Gambhir's comments have highlighted the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations of cricket. By doing so, players can ensure that the game is played fairly and competitively, while also preserving its spirit and integrity.