Newly-appointed head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, reunited with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai on Sunday during the wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. This marked their first meeting since Gambhir bid adieu to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to take on the role of Team India’s head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid.
In a video that quickly went viral, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was seen warmly embracing former KKR mentor Gambhir, highlighting the camaraderie and respect between the two. Gambhir, during his illustrious cricketing career, was part of the KKR franchise for eight seasons from 2011 to 2017, leading the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
Last year, Gambhir returned to the KKR camp as a mentor before the IPL 2024 season auction, having previously served in that role with the Lucknow Super Giants for two seasons. Under Gambhir’s mentorship, the Shreyas Iyer-led KKR finished top of the table in the group stage and ultimately triumphed over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final to claim their third IPL trophy.
Speculations about Gambhir becoming the next head coach of the Indian team began swirling during the final month of IPL 2024, as Dravid’s tenure was set to end after the T20 World Cup. Reports suggested Gambhir faced a dilemma over taking the India role due to his commitment to KKR, where Shah Rukh Khan had played an influential role in his return, even offering him a blank cheque to stay for at least ten seasons.
Earlier this month, following India’s T20 World Cup victory in Barbados, Gambhir was officially named as the head coach of the Indian team, with his contract extending until the 2027 ODI World Cup. His first assignment will commence on July 27 with the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs. Gambhir’s primary goal will be to guide the Rohit Sharma-led side to a Champions Trophy win next February.
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