Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) showed why they are considered the best team of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2024 when they defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the Qualifier 1 of the tournament on May 21 to enter the IPL 2024 final, set to take place on May 26. As they enter the final, a video of KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has been making rounds from when he gave his first speech in his role as the mentor of the team ahead of the start of the IPL 2024.
Gautam Gambhir has been known to be a passionate cricketer, on the field or off it. And his bond with KKR franchise has been special, as he captained them to IPL championships in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Now a mentor, a 66-days old video of Gambhir urging the KKR team to maintain their focus on the ultimate goal of winning IPL 2024 has been going viral after they secured their place in the IPL 2024 final.
Watch Gautam Gambhir's Inspiring Speech Here
Gambhir Urges KKR Players To Give Their All
In the video, Gambhir urges the team to treat each day as the start of the season and to give their all in every aspect- physical, mental and skill-wise. He emphasises the pride and success associated with representing the franchise and encourages them to train, play, and carry themselves with that same attitude on the field.
“We start the season from today. Whether it is physically, mentally, or skill wise, give everything possible. It’s a very, very proud and a successful franchise. You guys are representing a very successful franchise. Make sure you train that way, you play that way, and you carry that attitude on the field,” he says in the video.
'No Senior/Junior, No Domestic/International'- Gambhir
Gambhir emphasises granting players complete freedom, stressing equality within the team regardless of experience or background. He highlighted the one mission of winning the IPL and urged everyone to align with this goal. Gambhir emphasises the importance of starting the journey towards success immediately, rather than waiting for a specific date.
“One thing I absolutely believe in is giving all the freedom to the players. That is something very important. So people who have played with me, know one thing about me that everyone in this group will be treated equally. There’s no senior/junior. There’s no domestic/international because we have got one mission and that is to win the IPL. So everyone needs to follow that one simple path. On 26th May, we should be there, giving everything possible. And it starts from today. It's not gonna start on the 26th. It's not gonna start on the 23rd, it starts today,” he adds further.