IPL 2024: Shah Rukh Khan Welcomes Back Gautam Gambhir To Kolkata Knight Riders

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir is set to rejoin Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, said franchise co-owner and actor Shah Rukh Khan. Gambhir proved to be the most successful captain in IPL history for KKR by bagging two title wins in 2012 and 2014, and now he will guide the team as a coach. After his departure, Sunil Naraine, Dinesh Kartik, and Eon Morgan tried their luck as captain, but nothing worked for the side. Morgan did take KKR into the finals but fell short against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021.

An emotional statement shared by SRK reads, "Gautam has always been part of the family, and this is our Captain coming back home in a different avatar as a "Mentor". He was sorely missed, and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir, and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship, they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR."

The actor communicates with his fans weekly in "Ask Me Anything" on X called #AskSRK. Answering a fan, who had put a photo of SRK kissing Gautam after he lifted the IPL trophy in 2014, said "Excited with our champ who is back where he belongs..."

Another fan asked King Khan about the reason behind Gambhir's return to the KKR. "@iamsrk sir Gautam Gambhir phir se humari team KKR mein kyon #AskSRK (Why is Gautam Gambhir back in our KKR)" To which, SRK called the former cricketer a family member, "Kyunki @GautamGambhir humaara apna hai. KKR ka Captaan hai or family hai."

Shah Rukh Khan is prepped for Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki slated to release on December 21.