IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir parts ways with politics to focus on cricket commitments

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has decided to pause politics to focus on the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The former cricketer will be plying his trade as a mentor for his ex-IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.

On Saturday (March 2), he took to X (formerly Twitter) to state that he had requested BJP president  JP Nadda to relieve him from his political duties so that he could focus on upcoming cricket commitments.

The World Cup winner entered the world of politics in 2019 as he contested for the Lok Sabha Elections from East Delhi. He went on to win the East Delhi seat, defeating Congress’ Arvinder Singh Lovely by a margin of 3.91 lakh votes to become a Member of Parliament for the first time.

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And while many were expecting him to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections as well, Gautam Gambhir has decided to prioritize his cricket commitments. Thanking the Prime Minister and Home Minister, he wrote:

“I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!”

I have requested Hon’ble Party President @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my political duties so that I can focus on my upcoming cricket commitments. I sincerely thank Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM @AmitShah ji for giving me the opportunity to serve the people. Jai Hind!

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 2, 2024

Gautam Gambhir eyes successful return to KKR:

Gautam Gambhir will be hoping to make a successful return to the KKR camp. The former cricketer plied his trade as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the last two editions of the IPL before parting ways with them. He enjoyed a successful stint as a player with the KKR.

Gautam Gambhir played for KKR from 2011 to 2017 and led them throughout his stay with the franchise. In 2011, he helped KKR to make it to the playoffs for the very first time before guiding them to their maiden IPL title in 2012. In 2014, he made KKR only the second team to win the IPL more than once.

The two-time IPL champions have not won the title since then and will be hoping that Gambhir’s return changes their fortunes. IPL 2024 is scheduled to be played from March 22 while KKR will open their campaign on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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