Cricket

In the tranquil ambiance of Kolkata's Eden Gardens, a poignant moment unfolded between Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir and Royal Challengers Bangalore star batter Virat Kohli. On the eve of their highly anticipated clash, the two cricketing icons engaged in a heartfelt conversation that transcended rivalry and celebrated the essence of sportsmanship.Their discussion delved into the complexities of cricketing rivalry and the importance of camaraderie. With mutual respect as their guiding principle, they explored the responsibilities of leadership and the impact it has on both players and fans.Last year's heated confrontation between Kohli and Gambhir had left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans. However, this season, they have buried the hatchet, embracing a spirit of reconciliation. After their recent clash in Bengaluru, they were seen hugging and sharing smiles, a testament to their newfound understanding.Kohli acknowledged that his newfound composure has disappointed some fans, who have missed the on-field "masala" associated with his fiery persona. Yet, his conversation with Gambhir highlighted the evolution of his leadership style, emphasizing the importance of maturity and grace.As the sun began to set on the historic ground, their exchange left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans and players alike. It epitomized the spirit of cricket, a game that fosters bonds among its protagonists, transcending the boundaries of competition.Kohli's current form has been exceptional, with the 35-year-old leading the run-scoring charts in the ongoing IPL season. With 361 runs in 7 games, including two half-centuries and a ton, he has been a beacon of consistency for RCB.Despite Kohli's individual brilliance, RCB's overall performance has been disappointing. With six defeats and a solitary win in their 7 matches so far, they languish at the bottom of the table. However, the team remains hopeful of a turnaround, inspired by the leadership and experience of their star batter.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is renowned for his serious demeanor on and off the field. However, in a recent video shared by KKR, Gambhir revealed a rare glimpse of his lighter side.When host Cyrus Broacha playfully remarked about Gambhir's "lovely smile," the usually stern-faced mentor responded with a genuine smile and a touch of humor. "Lovely! Thank you," Gambhir said. "Even my wife never said that. Thank you very much."Gambhir's response highlighted the disconnect between public perception and reality. "In this country, if there's one thing that's the most difficult to beat, it's perception," he said. "Someone who doesn't even know me has a perception about me that he is intense. And why should I not have a game face? Because people don't come to watch me smile. People come to watch KKR win."Gambhir's leadership qualities were instrumental in KKR's two IPL title victories in 2012 and 2014. Under his captaincy, the team displayed a relentless fighting spirit and a never-say-die attitude.Despite his serious demeanor, Gambhir is known for his unwavering commitment to his team and his players. He is a respected figure in the cricketing world, admired for his strategic acumen and his ability to inspire his team to perform at their best.

Sunil Narine's remarkable transformation as an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has been attributed to the strategic vision of team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Narine's maiden T20 century, a blistering 56-ball 109 against Rajasthan Royals, has solidified his status as a formidable force at the top of the order.Prior to this season, Narine had struggled to make an impact in the lower middle order, amassing only 154 runs over the past three seasons. However, Gambhir's decision to promote him to the opening slot has unlocked his potential, with Narine already accumulating 276 runs in just six games.After his historic century at the Eden Gardens, Narine acknowledged Gambhir's role in his resurgence. "You can see the way Narine is batting this time. In every match, he's making runs, opening the batting and that was his (Gambhir's) idea only," said KKR teammate Rinku Singh.Narine's success as an opener is not entirely new. Under Gambhir's captaincy in 2017, he smashed the IPL's fastest fifty in 15 balls, a record that has since been broken. Narine also holds the record for the fastest 50 in the Bangladesh Premier League, with a 13-ball half-century for Comilla Victorians in 2022.Rinku Singh believes that Narine's transformation is not due to any significant technical changes, but rather a result of his hard work and improved patience. "He's more patient now. Earlier he used to swing his bat to every ball, now he has restrained himself and playing according to the merit of the ball. He is batting thoughtfully and wisely," said Rinku.Despite Narine's heroics, KKR fell short against Rajasthan Royals, with Jos Buttler's unbeaten 107 guiding the Royals to an eight-wicket victory. However, Rinku remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "Our team is doing very well. We are not thinking much (about the loss). Credit to RR they did well. Also, you need a bit of luck in your favour. It was there day. Buttler innings was the turning point. Full credit goes to him," said Rinku.While the KKR top order has been firing on all cylinders, Rinku, who was the team's leading run-getter in IPL 2023 with 474 runs, has had limited opportunities. This season, he has scored 83 runs at an impressive strike rate of 184-plus, but is yet to register a half-century."Our top order batters are doing so well that I'm not getting much opportunities to show my batting this time," said Rinku. However, he remains confident that he will be back to his best soon. "I had a niggle, I will be back to playing the full match against RCB on Sunday," he said.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed an unprecedented batting onslaught, with nine 200+ totals already recorded. This has prompted calls for a change in the ball manufacturer, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir echoing commentator Harsha Bhogle's suggestion.Gambhir believes that if the current manufacturer, Kookaburra, cannot produce a ball that lasts for 50 overs, it should be replaced. "There's nothing wrong with changing the manufacturer," he said. "What is this compulsion with only using the Kookaburra?"Bhogle had earlier suggested using a Duke ball, which has a more pronounced seam and allows for greater lateral movement. This, he believes, would restore the balance between bat and ball.The lopsided nature of the contest between batters and bowlers is evident in the record-breaking totals posted by Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have scored 277 against Mumbai Indians and 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rajasthan Royals also chased down a target of 224 against KKR, setting a new record for successful chases in the IPL.The dominance of batters has raised concerns about the fairness of the competition. With the pitches not providing much assistance to bowlers, the ball needs to do more in the air to create a level playing field.The IPL's high-scoring matches have been entertaining for fans, but they also highlight the need for a more balanced contest between bat and ball. A change in the ball manufacturer could be one way to address this issue and ensure that the IPL remains a thrilling spectacle for years to come.

Shah Rukh Khan Inspires Kolkata Knight Riders After Narrow Defeat to Rajasthan RoyalsBollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan delivered an inspiring speech to his team after their narrow defeat to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Khan praised the team's performance and urged them to maintain their high spirits.In his address to the KKR dressing room, Khan acknowledged the team's disappointment but emphasized that there would be days when they would be second best despite playing well. He said, "There are days in our lives, sports especially, when we don't deserve to lose and it is also when we don't deserve to win. But days are like that, which turn things around."Khan expressed his pride in the team's performance, saying, "I think today we didn't deserve to lose, all of us played extremely well. We have to be very very proud of ourselves. Please don't feel sad or down. Feel as happy as we feel whenever we come to the changing room. We are on a high, maintain the high."He also praised the team's energy and camaraderie, saying, "The main thing is the energy in all of us. We have great energy on the field, we have lovely energy here, personally also everybody is bonding together."Khan had special words for team mentor Gautam Gambhir, who was visibly disappointed after the defeat. He said, "GG (Gautam Gambhir) you don't feel down. We would all be bouncing back. It is God's plan for today as Rink says. We'll be back with more & better god's plans."Khan's speech was met with applause and smiles from the KKR players, who were clearly motivated by his words. The team will look to bounce back in their next match against the Chennai Super Kings on Thursday.

Sunil Narine's remarkable transformation as an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing IPL season has been attributed to the guidance of team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Narine's impressive performance at the top of the order, amassing 276 runs in six games, stands in stark contrast to his previous three seasons, where he scored only 154 runs while batting lower in the order.After his memorable century at Eden Gardens, Narine acknowledged Gambhir's role in making him open for the first time since 2017. Teammates like Rinku Singh have also reiterated this sentiment, stating, "You can see the way Narine is batting this time. In every match, he's making runs, opening the batting and that was his (Gambhir's) idea only."Narine's transformation as a batsman is evident in his improved stroke-making and patience at the crease. Rinku attributed this change to Narine's hard work in the nets, saying, "Nothing much has changed. It's the result of his sheer hard work at the nets." He also noted that Narine has become more thoughtful and wise in his approach, playing according to the merit of the ball.Despite Narine's impressive century, Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious, thanks to Jos Buttler's unbeaten 107 off 60 balls. Rinku acknowledged Buttler's innings as the turning point and credited Rajasthan Royals for their performance. He also mentioned that luck played a role in the outcome of the match.With KKR's top-order performing well this season, Rinku, who was their leading run-getter in IPL 2023, has had fewer opportunities to showcase his batting skills. However, he maintains a strike rate of over 184 and is confident of returning to playing full matches after recovering from a niggle that limited him to the role of an Impact Sub in the previous game.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Gautam Gambhir Spreads Sweetness on Bengali New Year EveIn a heartwarming gesture, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir distributed sweets to media personnel on the eve of Bengali New Year. The thoughtful act came after KKR's pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens on Sunday."It's new year tomorrow, so we have got sweets for you guys. So please feel free and put some calories on," said a smiling Gambhir before distributing Rasgullas.The gesture was met with appreciation and delight from the media contingent, who enjoyed the sweet treats distributed by KKR's "Guru Gambhir."The Bengali New Year, also known as Poila Boishakh, is celebrated on April 14th. Coincidentally, KKR will also play their home game on the same day, adding to the festive atmosphere.With three wins in four matches, KKR currently sit at the second spot on the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table, behind Rajasthan Royals. The team has been in impressive form, with Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer leading the charge with their explosive batting.Gambhir's gesture not only spread sweetness but also highlighted the strong bond between KKR and the media. The team's success on the field has been complemented by their off-field initiatives, which have endeared them to fans and the media alike.As KKR prepares for their upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants, the team will be hoping to continue their winning ways and spread more joy to their supporters. The Bengali New Year celebrations will provide an added boost to the team's morale as they look to maintain their position at the top of the IPL standings.

Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has expressed his positive experience working with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, despite recent criticism from former KKR player David Wiese.Wiese had criticized Pandit's coaching style as "militant" in a recent podcast, claiming that it had caused dissatisfaction among players. However, Gambhir, who joined KKR this season, has a different perspective."I have not heard about any criticism," Gambhir said. "It's been early days, and my working relationship with him has been really very good. Hopefully, it will continue that way."Gambhir acknowledged Pandit's successful track record in Indian domestic cricket, particularly with Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. He believes that Pandit's experience is valuable for KKR."Whatever has been said, I have no clue about it," Gambhir added. "I think he has been pretty successful in first-class cricket, and that is the reason why he has got this opportunity. So far, it has been really good working with him."Gambhir's comments are in contrast to Wiese's, who claimed that Pandit's strict discipline and authoritarian approach did not sit well with some overseas players. However, Gambhir has not witnessed any such issues.KKR all-rounder Andre Russell has also praised Pandit, saying that he has been doing an "amazing job."Despite the contrasting views, it remains to be seen how Pandit's coaching style will ultimately impact KKR's performance in the upcoming IPL season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has defended Mitchell Starc's underwhelming performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), emphasizing the team's success over individual brilliance. Despite being acquired for a hefty ₹24.75 crore, the Australian left-arm pacer has managed only two wickets at an average of 77 and an economy rate of 11 runs per over in four matches.Gambhir, however, remains unfazed by Starc's struggles, stating, "It doesn't matter, T20 cricket is all about bowlers getting smashed. We've got three wins out of four." He believes that Starc's impact will be felt in the tournament's later stages."Four games doesn't make him a bad bowler. And four good games doesn't make him a brilliant bowler either. So I know that what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition," Gambhir said.Gambhir's comments come ahead of KKR's match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a team he mentored for the past two seasons. Despite KKR's inability to defeat LSG in three previous encounters, Gambhir insists that it's a new start."It's a new day, new start. What difference does it make that what has happened in the last two years? It really makes no difference. We start from scratch," he said.Gambhir also addressed criticism of KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit's "militant style" of functioning. "My working relationship with him has been really, really good and hopefully it continues that way," he said.