Gautam Gambhir Reacts After Returning To Delhi Daredevils

Gautam Gambhir’s highly successful association with Kolkata Knight Riders might have ended earlier than expected by many but the left-handed batsman looks more than happy after being bought by Delhi Daredevils in the auction on Saturday (January 27).

After finishing in the bottom half of the table for the first three years of the tournament, the Kolkata-based franchise had paid a whopping amount of $2.4 million to secure Gambhir’s services in 2011, and it turned out to be one of the best signings in the history of the league. Under Gambhir’s captaincy, the  Knight Riders qualified for the IPL playoffs and also made it to the now-scrapped Champions League Twenty20 for the first time in 2011.

In the following year, he led the side to their first title in 2012 by beating defending champions Chennai Super Kings. Two years later, he led the team to their second title, making the Knight Riders one of the most successful teams in the leagues. Even in the last season, he led the side to a third-place finish in the league.

Gambhir was equally impressive with the bat. One of the most successful batsmen in the history of the league, Gambhir was the batting mainstay of the Knight Riders since joining the side. In the seven seasons, he scored 3,035 runs with the help of 27 half-centuries.

However, the Knight Riders surprisingly decided to part ways with him. But despite his journey coming to an end with the Kolkata-based team, Gambhir looks upbeat on returning to his home team as he took to Twitter to write:

“I AM BACK @DelhiDaredevils @IPL.”

I AM BACK @DelhiDaredevils @IPL

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 27, 2018

The franchise was also quick to welcome its former batsman and skipper.

Welcome home ❤️?#IPLAuction #DilDilli https://t.co/WmA551pL3t

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 27, 2018

Even in the past, Gambhir had expressed his desire of finishing his career with Delhi Daredevils.

“I think my heart is still with Delhi. I played for three years for Delhi (Daredevils). Somewhere, deep within my heart, I’d love to finish with Delhi,” he had told Hindustan Times even though he was a Kolkata Knight Riders player at that time.