KKR vs SRH: Not Sunil Narine or Shreyas Iyer! Piyush Chawla names KKR's X-factor in IPL 2024 success

As the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) prepare to face the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final, Mumbai Indians (MI) spinner Piyush Chawla has hailed Gautam Gambhir's significant influence on the Men in Purple’s performance this season.

Gambhir has previously captained KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 and has returned to the franchise as a mentor, bringing the same passion and intensity of his playing days to guide the team to the final for the fourth time.

He has really been a great mentor, as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) reached the playoffs on both occasions in 2022 and 2023 when he was in charge, and now under his mentorship, KKR is gearing for their third IPL trophy.

Gautam Gambhir's mentorship proves wonderful for KKR

It seems that Gambhir has a magic wand, as he has not only brought the team together but also infused the passion and hunger in the players for winning the IPL 2024, and that's well evident in the Shreyas Iyer-led franchise's performance this season after struggling in the past years.

Well, Chawla, who won the IPL 2014 with KKR, emphasized that Gambhir’s strategic decisions have been crucial for the Men in Purple and Gold this season. The MI star highlighted a notable example that Gambhir made Sunil Narine an opener; that was something he did when he was KKR captain.

This season, Narine has thrived in the opening slot, amassing 482 runs at an impressive strike rate of around 180 in 13 games for KKR so far in the IPL 2024. Apart from his batting prowess, Narine’s spin bowling also provided KKR with a significant advantage, taking 16 wickets so far.

Furthermore, Chawla mentioned that the KKR squad for the final is largely unchanged from the previous season, but Gambhir's presence has revitalized the team. As KKR heads into the IPL 2024 final match against SRH at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26, Chawla feels Gambhir’s influence will be a decisive factor. He also hailed the KKR mentor for his ability to inspire and implement effective strategies.

Gautam Gambhir is KKR's X-factor: Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawal was quoted as saying by Revsportz: “One hundred percent, Gautam Gambhir is KKR's X-factor. Nothing has changed about Gambhir. The same passion. The same vigour. Look, the KKR team playing in the final this time is almost the same as last time. But Gambhir’s arrival has made a significant difference, especially, making Narine open.

"When he was captain, he made Narine open. Now, as a mentor, he’s doing it again. This time Narine has scored over 450 runs with a strike rate of 170. Let’s not even talk about his bowling. It’s a huge bonus for any team.”

On being asked about KKR’s chances to win the IPL 2024, Chawla said: “I won’t say that they will definitely win. SunRisers Hyderabad is a great team. Just because they couldn’t win against KKR in Qualifier 1, doesn’t mean they can’t win in the final.”