Watch: Gautam Gambhir receives a hero's welcome in Kolkata as he arrives in the city to mentor KKR

Gautam Gambhir received a hero’s welcome at the airport as he arrived in Kolkata to link up with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The upcoming season will mark his return to the franchise after seven years. Gautam Gambhir was not associated with the franchise since parting ways as a player after the 2017 season. The former India skipper enjoyed a stunning stint as a player with the Kolkata-based outfit.

After representing Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for the first three seasons of the IPL, he was bought by KKR in 2011 for a whopping USD 2.4 million. He was given the captaincy of the team straightaway and Gautam Gambhir justified the faith shown in him by the franchise. In no time, he transformed KKR into a powerhouse from underdogs.

In his maiden season, he led KKR to their first playoffs before guiding them to their maiden title in 2012. In 2014, KKR won the IPL once again and became just the second team after Chennai Super Kings to win the tournament more than once. Gautam Gambhir kept leading the team till 2017 before deciding to part ways.

Gautam Gambhir returns:

Seven years after parting ways with KKR, Gautam Gambhir returned to Kolkata as a mentor of the team for IPL 2024 and he received a warm welcome. Dozens of fans and media personnel were lined up to welcome KKR’s most decorated captain at the airport. The fans were chanting ‘we love GG’ as the former India opener made his way out of the airport.

Watch:

The craze for Gautam Gambhir in Kolkata.

– GG is back with KKR after 7 long years!pic.twitter.com/qLwR7ypntS

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 14, 2024

Gautam Gambhir plied his trade as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the last two editions of the IPL before deciding to leave them for KKR. In both seasons, the Lucknow-based outfit made it to the playoffs but could not qualify for the finals. KKR will be hoping that Gambhir changes their fortunes once again just like he did as a player more than a decade ago.

KKR have not won the IPL since Gambhir led them to their second title way back in 2014. Meanwhile, IPL 2024 is scheduled to begin on March 22 while KKR will open their campaign on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.