I want to be a mentor to young cricketers: Gambhir

With IPL auction scheduled in a week’s time, India’s veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir is eagerly waiting to find where his future lies. But that was not the case when he last went under the hammer, seven years ago. The 36-year-old was a mainstay in India’s top order and an auction was the last thing on his mind as the World Cup was fast approaching.

New Delhi: With IPL auction scheduled in a week’s time, India’s veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir is eagerly waiting to find where his future lies. But that was not the case when he last went under the hammer, seven years ago. The 36-year-old was a mainstay in India’s top order and an auction was the last thing on his mind as the World Cup was fast approaching.

But once he had played his part in India's title triumph, he went on to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles.

"Back in 2011, I remember it was January and the only worry I had was whether I will be picked for the 50-over World Cup later that year or not. It was only on the day of the auction, I had a few butterflies in my tummy. Now, seven years later, I have a broader view of life and cricket," Gambhir told PTI before the auction scheduled on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.

"I am at a stage of my career where I want to be a senior statesman, a mentor to the younger cricketers. Whether that happens in KKR, Sunrisers, Delhi, Mumbai I am absolutely fine with it," Gambhir said.

However, Gambhir feels he will be disappointed at not wearing the purple jersey again and still has an “emotional connect” with the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise.

"Yes it will be, it will be tough as KKR gave a platform to express myself as a batsman, a leader, as a human. But at the end of the day I respect the call KKR has taken, they have some solid reasons behind the move which they have explained and I am fine with them.

"There are no hard feelings at all, maybe there are fresh challenges waiting for me. I will be glad to accept them and turn things around. Let's see what happens," he said.