"Momentum is a word that we just use too much" - Gautam Gambhir's jibe at Virat Kohli-starrer RCB after defeat in Eliminator

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir talked about the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He believes that Faf du Plessis-led side losing the game had nothing to do with momentum.

Coming into the Eliminator of the IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were in the red hot form. The Faf du Plessis-led side had won 6 games on the bounce and were looking threatening in the tournament. This came after they looked down and dusted in the first phase of the league.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had lost 7 out of their 8 games in the IPL 2024 and no one gave them a chance to reach the playoffs. However, they turned the tables fantastically in the league and played a magnificent brand of cricket, giving fans everything to cheer about.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru won matches consecutively and reached the playoffs. With the kind of performance, they displayed they looked like favorites to win the game as momentum was surely on their side and many backed them to win but it wasn't the case as they faced a 4-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals.

Gautam Gambhir feels that in the big games, momentum doesn't matter because it's all about the kind of intensity the team shows on the field. He added that rather than the momentum, it's the team who shows courage with bat and ball wins. Speaking to Sportskeeda, he explained:

"Even when I was the captain, I had said that momentum is a word that we just use too much. What matters is with what intensity do you take the field on the day.

"The team that plays fearlessly and with courage is the one that ends up with the advantage because neither the ball nor the bat knows the momentum."

IPL is the toughest league in the world and at the level of any T20 World Cup - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was further asked about to pick the favourites between Rajasthan Royals and SunRisers Hyderabad for the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2. To this, the KKR mentor stated that any team can beat anyone in the IPL, which according to him is equal to the T20 World Cup. He added:

"There isn't much difference between the team that finished No.1 and the team that finished No.10. If there's a five-match series between the two teams, I won't be surprised if the No.10 team beats the No.1 team comfortably. That's why the IPL is the toughest league in the world and at the level of any T20 World Cup. We all get the same purse and all teams formed are good."

Gautam Gambhir's Kolkata Knight Knight has reached the final of the Indian Premier League 2024. They will be facing the winner of the Qualifier 2, which will take place on Friday (24th May) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.