Shah Rukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders will not be led by Gautam Gambhir in the 11th season of Indian Premier League. KKR has embraced faith in wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik in this season.
Under the captainship of Gautam Gambhir, KKR has won two titles in the year 2012 and 2014.
Venky Mysore - CEO and MD of KKR in an interview with HT said, “Retention rules made it difficult for us to retain more than two players. So, we were hoping to get him back in the auction even if it meant using an RTM (right-to-match option). But I think he wanted a different challenge’’.
“One of our objectives was to achieve change which Karthik represents as he’s new to KKR and brings a fresh perspective. At the same time, we wanted continuity as well, which Robin represents as he has been with KKR since 2014. So, we feel we have the best of both worlds’’, Mysore added.
Gautam Gambhir is a part of IPL from the first season. In the first edition of the League, Gambhir was picked by Delhi Daredevils for $725,000 and was also the second-highest run-scorer in the inaugural season.
Gautam Gambhir has been picked by Delhi Daredevils again for the 11th season which will mark his return to the team after a gap of seven       years.
On returning to his home side, Gambhir said, "It is a huge honour to once again captain DD. To get this responsibility is a way for me to give back to the sport in the city. I firmly believe that with the players currently involved we have the makings of a very good side’’.
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Oh that feeling being a @DelhiDaredevils...again pic.twitter.com/Ne4GeQF0wD
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 7, 2018
It was a long wait.
But now he's back, back as #DilliKaKaptaan!#DilDilli pic.twitter.com/4LjzfgwQpY— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) March 7, 2018