Gautam Gambhir Wanted To Pick Sunil Narine Under Any Condition: Former KKR Assistant Coach

Former Kolkata Knight Riders’ assistant coach Vijay Dahiya has heaped praises on Gautam Gambhir as a leader. During a live chat with Shanivi Sadana on Sportskeeda Cricket’s Facebook page, Vijay Dahiya emphasized Gautam Gambhir’s role in the franchise success and described his relentless intention to have Sunil Narine on their side.

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The Kolkata Knight Riders languished at the bottom of the points table in the first three seasons of the IPL. The management went for a revamp in 2011, roping in Gautam Gambhir and appointing him as captain too. In 2011, they reached the playoffs for the first time and went on to lift the title in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir’s aggressive captaincy was the cornerstone to their success.

Vijay Dahiya recollected the moments the IPL auction was taking place in 2012. With the Indian team touring Australia that time, Gambhir called in to tell he wanted Sunil Narine on his side, irrespective of the price. The West Indian off-spinner has taken 122 wickets in 110 games so far for Kolkata in the IPL, bagging the player of the tournament twice. In recent seasons, they have also used him as a pinch-hitter at the top of the order.

“I remember before the auction, he was in Australia, the Indian team was touring Australia. He called up and said, ‘No matter what, I want Sunil in my side.’ And that’s the kind of leaders you need,” the 47-year old stated.

Gautam Gambhir is a leader who gives you the freedom to go out and express yourself: Vijay Dahiya

The 47-year old went on to say that Gambhir is someone who urges players to go out there and express themselves with freedom. He iterated that Yusuf Pathan, Rajat Bhatia, and Gautam Gambhir were constant for all the games in 2012.

“He (Gautam Gambhir) is a leader who gives you the freedom to go out and express yourself. If you look, Yusuf Pathan, Gautam Gambhir, and Rajat Bhatia were three players who played all the games in that season,” Dahiya asserted.

The conditions prompted them to pick Rajat Bhatia; however, Gambhir backed Yusuf Pathan all the way and the captain, support staff had chats with him to support him.

“Because of the conditions, Rajat was there, but Yusuf, he was backed. There was pressure on Yusuf because he was not having that sort of a run. Gautam backed him. He had chats with him; the support staff also had chats with him and backed him,” he added.

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