'Welcome home': Gautam Gambhir rejoins KKR as team mentor

Gautam Gambhir joined the franchise in 2011 until the 2017 season. KKR experienced considerable success during his time there, qualifying for the IPL playoffs five times, which included 2 titles

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, has returned to the franchise as the team's mentor for the upcoming 2024 season.

"I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different," Gambhir said in a statement. "This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again."

"Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our captain coming back home in a different avatar as a 'Mentor'," team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan noted. "He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu [Chandrakant Pandit] Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR."

Welcome home, mentor @GautamGambhir!