TATA IPL 2024: 'Gambhir's Dream: Podium Finish with Trophy', Shares Nitish Rana
Shortly after the Kolkata Knight Riders secured their third IPL title with an eight-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the in-form all-rounder Sunil Narine lifted team mentor Gautam Gambhir in celebration, and the two-time IPL-winning captain reciprocated. A key discussion point for KKR ahead of IPL 2024 was their performance with Gambhir returning as mentor, aiming to end their decade-long trophy drought, a goal he emphasized during his initial team speech at the pre-season camp in Kolkata.
Gambhir stayed true to his words as KKR lifted its third IPL title 12 years after their first won the championship in 2012. “I want to share one short story that when GG bhaiya was named the mentor, I sent him a long message as I was really happy. But he replied, "Thank you, but I would be happy if we stand at the podium with the trophy in our hands." Today is that day, and I will never forget that message,” revealed Nitish Rana.
The IPL 2024 triumph for KKR, shaped by their bowlers as they bowled out SRH for just 113, also left assistant coach and KKR academy head Abhishek Nayar joyful after being called in to join by leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. “It means everything. I started playing IPL in the first season and it has taken me 16 years for the first title after two finals. I am really happy for the boys. I cannot express how happy I am. The big man (Andre Russell) turns up as usual. It is the most surreal feeling I have had in a long time”.
Speaking of Russell, last year, he had a tough time with KKR in the IPL, with some fans calling for him to be removed from the team. However, this year, Russell became one of the key players in KKR's victory, bringing the big-hitting all-rounder to tears. “No words to describe. It means so much. I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and worked towards one goal. This franchise has done a lot for me. It's a big gift from all of us to them”.
Rinku Singh was at his jolly best after becoming an IPL-winning player with KKR. “Outstanding feeling right now. My dream of seven years is complete. Finally I will lift the trophy. I am proud of my whole team and GG sir. It was God's plan”. Pacer Vaibhav Arora, who shined alongside Harshit Rana in the season, was happy to play his part in KKR’s spectacular triumph. “My role is to take wickets with the new ball. After that the spinners were doing their jobs. So today also the aim was to take wickets in the powerplay, which happened as well”.
Bowling coach Bharat Arun expressed that the entire team will cherish the moment to the fullest. He also emphasized that Mitchell Starc's inclusion was a significant boost for the team. Arun also praised the decision to have Narine open the batting, a move that was suggested by Gambhir. “Spinners mature with age, and with Sunny and Varun bowling in tandem, it was superb. He (Narine) brought a totally different dimension to our batting. It was Gautam who insisted that he opened and it paid dividends. It's a great night and now it's time to celebrate”.
Opener-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz was a late entrant to KKR eleven due to Phil Salt’s stellar performance and had to go back home due to his mother’s health. Now he’s a two-time IPL winner after being part of the Gujarat Titans side in 2022. For now, there’s a talk in the KKR camp about the celebrations, with Harshit Rana saying, “I cannot tell how happy I am”. Angkrish Raghuvanshi echoed the same sentiment. “It's yet to sink in yet. Maybe it will after the party at night”.
